EP2373554B1 - Device for preserving and releasing a product contained in a reservoir having a rupturable wall - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a removable device for the preservation and extemporaneous release of a product contained in a tank comprising a rupturable wall, and in particular for the release of this product and its extemporaneous mixture with a base product contained in a container, previously to their distribution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many products include additives, for example flavorings or perfumes intended to improve their organoleptic properties, or cosmetic, pharmaceutical and other active ingredients.

However, these additives can be altered over time due to reactions taking place once they are mixed with the base product.

This can be caused by an unstable mixture, incompatibility of the additive product with the base product, etc.

This problem is particularly sensitive for cosmetic products, such as products for hair coloring, the smell of which can cause discomfort both to the person applying the product and to the person to whom the product is applied.

However, the compositions generally used for this type of coloring products comprise chemical actives, such as ammonia, which will generally rapidly degrade perfumes and other olfactory compositions intended to mask the unpleasant odor of the base composition.

To preserve the properties of the additive, it is known to keep the additive in a suitable tank, separately from the base product, and to proceed to extemporaneous mixing of the base product and the additive.

In this respect, mention may in particular be made of the patent application FR2895378 which provides sequential release of an aromatic or scented composition into a base product contained in a container.

The device described in this patent application is to cap the cap of a container, the aromatic composition being contained in capsules breakable under the mechanical or chemical action of the base product during its expulsion from the container.

However, such a device does not allow control of the user, and involves a gradual release of the aromatic or scented composition as the expulsion of the base product.

It is therefore not possible to perform a real and effective mix between aromatic composition and the base product before use.

There is therefore a risk of uneven distribution of the aromatic or scented composition, resulting in the distribution of a product whose organoleptic characteristics would not be guaranteed during the expulsion of the end of the bottle, for example.

Moreover, the aforementioned device is in the form of a nozzle adaptable to a cannula for dispensing the base product out of the container. This very specific design therefore implies a cooperation between the device and the packaging of the basic product and is not adaptable to any type of container encountered commercially.

The document WO 2004/024587 , on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, describes a device, of the "sport cap" type, for beverage containers. Composed of three superimposed mounted elements describing a central axial channel for dispensing for consumption of the beverage, this device also contains an encapsulated liquid dye, intended to be mixed extemporaneously with said beverage. Among said three elements, the first element is adapted to be screwed onto the neck of the container and is adapted to receive at least one capsule containing the dye. An opening in this first element allows the flow of the dye in the beverage to be colored after rupture of the capsule. The second element, mounted in axial sliding on the first, crushes and breaks the capsule under the effect of axial pressure exerted by the fingers of the user on the upper flanges of the second element. The third element corresponds to the spout of the sport cap. Mobile between two positions, it allows the opening and closing of the system.

A first drawback encountered with this device comes from the absence of a security element preventing any premature rupture of the capsules, for example in case of untimely proximity of the first and second element during the transportation of said device.

This device also has the disadvantage of a large footprint. The use of a device of this design is difficult to envisage in a field other than that of beverages, such as those of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals where the containers are generally of considerably smaller size and the neck, narrower. Moreover, being a sport cap specifically for drinking containers, the skilled person is reluctant to use it and / or want to adapt it for other containers.

Finally, insofar as the rupture of the capsules is dependent on the user's strength, the amount of encapsulated product actually released can vary greatly from one user to another and even from one action to another. This defect in the repeatability / reproducibility of the released dose is prohibitive when it comes to products pharmaceutical or cosmetic. Also, because of this dependence on the force of the user, such a device has serious limitations, in particular in the choice of the breaking strength of the capsules and in the number of capsules to be integrated.

The invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

In particular, one of the aims of the invention is to propose a device for packaging and releasing a product contained in a reservoir comprising a rupturable wall, which allows both the respect of the integrity of said reservoir in particular during the storage and transport of said device, and which by its simplicity of design can be adapted to a large number of containers, possibly those of reduced sizes encountered for example in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields.

The invention also aims to facilitate the rupture of the wall of said tank during the voluntary action of the user and to ensure a good reproducibility / repeatability in the release of the contents of the tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, and in accordance with the invention, there is provided a removable device for storing and releasing a product contained in a reservoir comprising a rupturable wall for releasing said product, said device comprising a rigid chamber with variable volume containing at least one reservoir with said product, said chamber comprising at least one opening for the release of the product from the device and comprising two movable elements relative to each other, delimiting the variable volume chamber to provide the rupture of the crumbling wall by crushing during their approximation.

• un capuchon apte à coopérer avec un goulot dudit récipient et traversé par une cheminée de distribution débouchant dans ledit récipient, ledit capuchon comprenant le premier élément mobile,
• un insert apte à être positionné sur ou dans le goulot dudit récipient, ledit insert comprenant le deuxième élément mobile,

ledit capuchon et ledit insert délimitant ladite chambre rigide à volume variable, et étant mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre afin de procurer la rupture de la paroi rupturable par écrasement lors de leur rapprochement,
caractérisé en ce que ledit bouchon comporte des moyens pour procurer le déplacement du capuchon par rapport à l'insert et par rapport au goulot, consistant en un pas de vis coopérant avec un pas de vis solidaire du goulot.More specifically, said device is advantageously in the form of a cap intended to be mounted on a container and comprising:

• a cap adapted to cooperate with a neck of said container and traversed by a distribution duct opening into said container, said cap comprising the first movable member,
• an insert adapted to be positioned on or in the neck of said container, said insert comprising the second mobile element,

said cap and said insert delimiting said rigid chamber of variable volume, and being movable relative to each other in order to provide rupture of the breakable wall by crushing during their approach,
characterized in that said cap comprises means for providing displacement of the cap relative to the insert and with respect to the neck, consisting of a screw thread cooperating with a screw thread integral with the neck.

The opening or openings of the chamber are then arranged on the part of the plug intended to be housed inside the container, to allow the release of the product in the container.

Said device advantageously comprises means for retaining the two movable elements in a determined position called "spaced", said means being able to yield when an appropriate force is applied to the device to allow the approximation of said elements.

The insert may consist of a cylindrical peripheral wall extending from a bottom, the upper end of the peripheral wall having a collar bearing on the upper edge of the neck of the container, the bottom of the insert comprising the openings for dispensing the product into the container.

According to a particular embodiment, the bottom of the insert forms, as such, said second movable element.

According to a particular embodiment, the cap has an outer face bottom forming said first movable member.

Said cap comprises means for providing movement of the cap relative to the insert and / or the neck of the container; said means advantageously consist of a screw thread cooperating with a screw thread integral with the neck.

According to a particular embodiment, said cap advantageously comprises means for providing displacement of the cap relative to the insert and relative to the neck of the container; said means consist of a screw thread cooperating with a screw thread integral with the neck. In this particular embodiment, the insert remaining fixed relative to the neck (thanks for example to a collar bearing on the upper edge of the neck of the container), the screwing of the cap on the neck causes the displacement of the first constituent movable member from the cap to the second constituent movable element of the insert, thereby creating a gradual reduction of the volume of the variable chamber and the meticulous crushing of (the) reservoir (s) and the complete release of its (their) content. Compared to other conceivable crushing modes, in particular crushing by percussion, crushing by screwing according to the invention requires the user a minimum of effort and attention. Such an advantage makes it possible to use tanks with high resistance to breakage and therefore better integrity and better preservation of the encapsulated products.

Preferably, said stopper comprises a distribution duct passing therethrough and opening into said receptacle.

The opening or openings are dimensioned to maintain the reservoir or reservoirs in the chamber before and after rupture of the rupturable wall.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reservoir is a spherical capsule constituted by a rupturable wall.

In this case, the opening or openings are circular and of smaller diameter than that of the capsule or capsules.

According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises as many openings as tanks.

The invention also relates to the use of the device which has just been described for releasing a product contained in a reservoir comprising a rupturable wall in a so-called basic product chosen from: a pharmaceutical composition, a medicament, a cosmetic composition, for the purpose of care or capillary, a food, agri-food, nutraceutical or dietetic product, a personal hygiene product, domestic or industrial, a plant protection product or an insecticide.

The invention also relates to a packaging for the preservation of two products intended to be mixed extemporaneously before distribution, this packaging comprising a container comprising a first product called base and a cap comprising a second product to be released, the plug being defined as above and hereafter with a rigid chamber with variable volume containing at least one reservoir with said product, said chamber comprising at least one opening for the release of the product and comprising two elements movable relative to each other , delimiting the variable volume chamber to provide rupture of the breakable wall by crushing on their approximation.

The invention finally relates to a method of dispensing a mixture of products made extemporaneously and prior to their distribution, the method comprising applying to the cap of the packaging according to the invention a force appropriate to allow the rupture of the rupturable wall of the tank and the release of the product into the container comprising the base product, the mixture of the product released with the base product and the distribution of the mixture obtained out of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 représente un premier mode de réalisation qui ne fait pas partie de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 illustre un deuxième mode de réalisation qui ne fait pas partie de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 illustre un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 4 illustre un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 5 illustre un cinquième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 6 à 9 présentent les détails d'une variante d'exécution particulière.

Other advantages and features will become more apparent from the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures:

• the figure 1 represents a first embodiment which does not form part of the invention;
• the figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment which does not form part of the invention;
• the figure 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 5 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 6 to 9 present the details of a particular variant of execution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the term "rigid" means a chamber whose mechanical properties make it possible to preserve the integrity of the reservoirs, so as to avoid the inadvertent rupture of the rupturable wall and the release of the product.

The rupture of the reservoir and the release of the product intervene only when the moving elements come closer, this approximation being conditioned by a command from a user.

The device according to the invention therefore advantageously comprises means for retaining the two movable elements in a determined position called "spaced", or said "rest", said means being able to yield to allow the approximation of the walls when an appropriate force is applied on the device. To avoid an inadvertent rupture of the tanks, the force applied is determined not only in its intensity, by the definition of a threshold to be exceeded, but also in its direction, as resulting from a specific movement to be made by the user of the device (eg rotation, clamp, acceleration, axial pressure, etc.).

The appropriate force must therefore be sufficient to allow the moving parts to move closer together, while being above a certain threshold ensuring that the tanks are not broken under normal conditions of transport, handling, storage, etc. of the device.

The retaining means may comprise for example male and female forms arranged on the two movable elements and whose cooperation prevents the approximation of said movable elements.

It is specified that "moving elements" means that the two elements are movable relative to each other; according to some embodiments, the approaching action can take place while one of the elements remains fixed and the other moves.

By "crushing" is meant according to the invention any mechanical action to apply pressure on the reservoir so as to cause rupture of the rupturable wall, regardless of the form of the means by which is applied this pressure. In particular, this term covers a punching (by means of a pointed element), a pinch, a percussion ...

By "basic product" is meant according to the invention, any vehicle for an asset that needs to be kept away from the ambient air and / or the vehicle with which it will be mixed before distribution.

The base product is advantageously in fluid form, in particular a cream, a milk, a lotion, a gel, an ointment, an ointment, an emulsion, a gas, a solid dispersion or a liquid dispersion.

The basic product can be a pharmaceutical or cosmetic vehicle. It may itself contain active substances or be simply a vehicle for the asset that will be released extemporaneously.

According to the applications of the invention, the basic product may be a pharmaceutical composition or a drug; or a cosmetic composition, for the purpose of capillary, for example of the type shampoo or hair coloring product, straightener or any other product intended to act on the hair fiber, or else the type depilatory cream.

The basic product can also be a food, agri-food, nutraceutical or dietetic product; or a hygiene product, in particular personal hygiene, in particular oral hygiene, domestic hygiene or industrial hygiene, including a detergent, a softener, a bactericide; finally, the basic product may be a plant protection product or an insecticide.

The products to be released contained in the reservoirs are chosen in particular from the active ingredients having an application in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, phytosanitary, agri-food and other fields. The preferred active substances are those which can not be stably formulated in formulations or which are unstable during prolonged storage periods.

In the field of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements, the assets to be released can be chosen from the following non-exhaustive list: lutein, folic acid, fatty acids (for example, DHA and ARA), fruit and vegetable extracts, vitamins and supplements minerals, phosphatidylserine, lipoic acid, melatonin, glucosamine / chondrditin, Aloe Vera, Guggul, glutamine, amino acids (eg, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine), green tea, lycopene, foods whole herbs, additives, herbs, plant-based nutrients, antioxidants, flavonoid constituents of fruits, linseeds, fish and marine animal oils, and prebiotics. It can also be nutritional and nutraceutical supplements including foods derived from biological engineering and genetics (or "nutraceuticals").

In this respect reference may be made to the products cited in Roberts et al., Nutraceuticals: The Complete Encyclopedia of Supplements, Herbs, Vitamins, and Healing Foods, American Nutraceutical Association, 2001 .

The assets to be released can also be perfume raw materials (and mixtures thereof). It can be natural products such as essential oils, absolutes, resinoids, concretes, but also synthetic perfume components such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, acids, acetals, and nitriles, including saturated and unsaturated compounds, aliphatic, sulfuric, amine, carboxylic, cyclic and heterocyclic compounds.

According to other applications of the invention, the products to be released may be pharmaceutical and / or veterinary active agents, chosen, alone or in combination, from the known therapeutic classes, including, for example, proteins, peptides, nucleotides, obesity treatment agents, corticosteroids, elastase inhibitors, analgesics, antifungals, oncology therapies, analgesics, cardiovascular agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-haemetics, anti-arrhythmic agents, antibiotics (including penicillins), anticoagulants, antidepressants, antidiabetic agents, antiepileptics, antihistamines, antihypertensive agents, antimuscarinic agents, antimycobacterial agents, antineoplastic agents, immunosuppressants, antiviral agents, sedatives, anxiolytics (hypnotics and neuroleptics), astringents, beta-blockers, blood products and substitutes, cardiac inotropic agents, contrast agents, corticosteroids, antitussives (expectorants and mucolytics), diagnostic agents, imaging diagnostic agents, diuretics, dopaminergics, hemostats, immunological agents, correcting metabolic abnormalities, muscle relaxants, parasympathomimetics, calcitonin and bisphosphonates, parathyroids, prostaglandins, radiopharmaceuticals, sex hormones (including steroids), antiallergics, thyroid-regulating agents of, vasodilators and xanthines.

According to other possible applications of the invention, the products to be released may be cosmetic ingredients and active agents.

Typical examples of active substances used in the field of cosmetic preparations are, for example, surfactants, cosmetic oils, waxes, stabilizers, preservatives, opacifiers, texture and rheology modifiers, active substances anti-inflammatories, plant extracts, yeast and algae extracts, vitamins, vitamin derivatives and complexes, amino acids and amino acid derivatives, bioactive lipids, such as cholesterol, ceramides and pseudo ceramides, deodorants, antiperspirants, anti-dandruff agents, UV filters (mineral and organic), antioxidants, repellents, insecticides, skin pigmentation products, sunscreens, tyrosinase inhibitors (depigmentation agents), pigments and dyes.

According to other advantageous applications of the invention, the products to be released are food flavorings chosen for example from the following list: hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, esters, acids, acetals, lactones, sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds , aliphatic and cyclic, straight and branched chain, saturated and unsaturated, carbocyclic and heterocyclic. More generally, reference may be made to the products referred to in Annex 1 to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000.

By "capsule" is meant according to the invention, a reservoir consisting of an envelope and a core, which comprises the (s) product (s) to release.

Preferably, the thickness of the envelope is between 30 and 500 μm, more preferably between 100 and 200 μm.

The capsules have a hardness of the order of 1 to 20 kg, preferably 1 to 10 kg, typically 3 to 6 kg.

The capsules may be of different sizes, depending on the amount of active ingredient they contain; for example, in the case of spherical capsules, they generally have a diameter of between 1 and 10 mm, preferably of 3 to 7 mm.

By "removable" is meant a device that can be used in combination with another element, such as a container, from which it can be separated without the properties of the device or its ability to respond to the technical problem being altered. The invention therefore relates to the device alone or again associated with another element such as a container in which the product will be released.

It is specified that in the various embodiments illustrated, the device comprises one or more spherical capsules, but it goes without saying that other forms of tanks can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, a device according to the invention may comprise several tanks containing different assets, isolated or in combination.

The shape and size of the tanks within the same device may be the same or different, depending on the dose of the asset to be released.

Likewise, the number of reservoirs contained in a device may vary according to the dose of product to be released.

The nature and the packaging of the product (s) to be released is therefore completely adjustable depending on the commodity and its destination.

Particularly advantageously, the device is marketed with a container on which it is intended to adapt for the release of the aromatic composition in the base product.

This is particularly the case for single-use packaging, that is to say where the base product contained in the container is used at one time.

The device is then in the form of a removable cap, that is to say that it can be delivered mounted on the container or separated therefrom, the adaptation to the container being then carried out by the user at the time of use.

It is specified that the adaptation of the cap on the container can be done by any appropriate means, such as screwing, clipping, interlocking, ...

The cap is therefore adaptable to any existing container.

In addition, the device may include a security system to prevent a child from releasing the asset. Thus, when the device is an adaptable cap on a container, the release of the asset can for example be obtained only by a combined movement of the pressure-rotation type.

Advantageously, the plug further comprises a distribution duct passing through it and opening into the container. Thus, once the mixture of the basic product and the released asset has been carried out, the user can distribute this mixture to the way of the chimney, without having to unscrew the cap.

Preferably, the chimney is closed during delivery of the device, for example by means of a breakable lid; the user breaks the lid when he wishes to distribute the mixture. Of course, any other form of closure of the distribution stack may be employed.

The rupturable wall of the tank is normally designed not to disintegrate when it breaks.

The device may, however, include filtering means for preventing a possible expulsion of debris from the rupturable wall of the tank, at the same time as the release of the asset. Thus, the openings and / or, if appropriate, the distribution stack, may be provided with filters or sieves that the skilled person knows how to size to prevent the passage of any debris in the base product and / or when the expulsion of the mixture.

In the embodiments described below, the device is in the form of a removable plug adaptable with a container containing a base product to perfume, and through a chimney for the distribution of the mixture. However, it goes without saying that the device can take other forms without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the various figures described below, the same reference signs have been used to designate elements that are identical or fulfill a similar function.

According to a first embodiment, illustrated at figure 1 rupture of the rupturable wall is obtained by crushing the capsule during the approach of two movable elements of the plug in an axial direction.

The device is in the form of a stopper 1 adapted to cooperate with the neck 50 of a container 5.

The plug 1 comprises a cap 3, an insert 4 and an insert 31, acting as a first movable element within the meaning of the invention.

The cap 3 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, having on its inner face a screw thread 30, and a tip 32 traversed by a chimney 12.

The insert 4 has a generally inverted U shape comprising a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 42 having, on its internal face, a thread 40 corresponding to the thread 51 of the neck 50, and on its external face, a screw thread 45 adapted to the screw 30 of the cap.

The cap 1 therefore caps the neck 50 and the cooperation of the cap and the neck is obtained by the threads 40 and 51.

The bottom 44 of the insert has an opening 11 for the release of the product contained in the capsule, as well as one or more openings 41 for dispensing the mixed.

In this embodiment, the stopper 1 advantageously comprises a single spherical capsule 2 and the insert 4 comprises a central opening 11 having a trilobal shape, of suitable dimensions to hold the capsule 2. The bottom of the insert 4 with its opening Central 11 also serves as a second movable element within the meaning of the invention.

Furthermore, an insert 31 is inserted into the chimney 12 of the cap 3.

Before use, the cap 1 is assembled by screwing the cap 3 on the insert 4 so as to maintain a spacing between the capsule 2 and the insert 31.

When the stopper 1 is screwed onto the neck 50 of the container 5, the insert 31 is driven in translation by the cap 3 in the direction of the insert 4.

The wall of the capsule 2 is broken by crushing between the insert 31 and the insert 4.

The product contained in the capsule is then released into the container 5 through the opening 11.

The user then mixes the aromatic composition and the base product, then opens the end of the distribution stack 12 (for example by breaking a breakable seal, not shown here, located at the end of the tip 32).

During the distribution of the mixture, it passes through the openings 41 disposed on the periphery of the insert 4 and flows into the chimney 12 of the plug through the space formed between the insert 31 and the inner wall of the cap.

This arrangement makes it possible to create turbulences in the mixture which contribute to improving its homogeneity.

According to a second embodiment, illustrated at figure 2 , the cap 1 comprises a cap 3 and an insert 4.

The insert 4 has a thread 40 adapted to the thread 51 of the neck 50 of a container.

The insert 4 has fins 46 between which are disposed capsules 2 (here, three in number).

The insert 4 is arranged in the cap 3 so as to constitute, between each fin 46 and an inner wall of the cap, a chamber 10 for each capsule.

Thus, during the screwing of the cap 1 on the neck 50, the volume of the chambers 10 decreases and the capsules are compressed between the fin 46 and the wall of the cap.

The product contained in the capsules is then released into the container through the openings 11.

Once the mixture is made, it is distributed through the central chimney 12 passing through the cap.

According to a third embodiment, illustrated at figure 3 , rupture of the rupturable wall is obtained by punching.

In this embodiment, the cap 1 comprises a cap 3 and an insert 4, enclosing one or more capsules 2, and an insert 31 serving as a first movable element within the meaning of the invention and having a ring gear.

The cap 3 has a screw thread 30 corresponding to the thread 51 of the neck of the container.

The insert 4 has a bottom 44 pierced with openings 11 of a diameter smaller than that of the capsules. The upper surface of this pierced bottom 44 serves as a second movable element within the meaning of the invention.

The cap also has an inner cylindrical wall 33 of smaller diameter than that of the insert 31.

When screwing the cap 1 on the neck of the container, the insert 31 is driven by the wall 33 in translation towards the insert 4.

When the teeth 310 of the insert 31 come into contact with the capsules 2, they perforate them.

The aromatic composition is then released into the container 5 through the openings 11.

The insert 4 has a central chimney 12 allowing the passage of the mixture for distribution through the tip 32 of the cap.

According to a fourth embodiment, illustrated at figure 4 , rupture of the rupturable wall of the capsule is obtained by pinching.

The plug 1 comprises a deformable insert 6 held between a cap 3 and an insert 4.

The cap 3 has a tip 32 and is traversed by a chimney 12 for dispensing the mixture.

The insert 4 has a thread 40 adapted to the thread 51 of the neck 50 of a container 5.

The capsule 2 is trapped between a rigid wall of the insert 4 and a deformable zone of the wall of the insert 6. Said rigid wall of the insert 4 and said deformable zone of the wall of the insert 6 forming the first and second movable elements within the meaning of the invention.

The deformable insert 6 has a generally cylindrical shape. It is for example made of an elastomeric material, such as SEBS for example.

On its wall are formed two deformable zones 61 diametrically opposed (for example, by means of thinning of the wall, or the use of a less rigid material).

The insert 4 is provided with two substantially coaxial cylindrical walls.

The outer cylindrical wall of the insert 4 and the cap 3 is indented to allow accessibility to the flexible areas 61 by a finger of the user.

The inner cylindrical wall has two diametrically opposed openings 11; located opposite the notches. The openings 11 have a width smaller than the diameter of the capsules.

After insertion of the capsules into their housings, the cap 3 and the insert 4 are rigidly connected, for example by welding, clipping, or any other means adapted to maintain the deformable insert 6.

Because of its maintenance between the cap 3 and the insert 4 which are rigid parts, and because the deformable zones 61 are accessible through notches of the cap 3 and the insert 4, the deformable insert 6 allows to form a rigid chamber 10 within the meaning of the invention. Indeed, this design of the device protects the deformable areas and limits the risk of inadvertent deformation leading to rupture capsules.

The wall of the capsules is broken by the pinching action exerted by the user on the deformable zones 61, and the aromatic composition is released into the container through the openings 11.

By its ergonomics (pinching between thumb and forefinger), this device is particularly suitable for the use of an even number of diametrically opposed capsules, but it goes without saying that the use, for example, of a single capsule, is also possible.

Moreover, this device may not be symmetrical and have an odd number of capsules.

It may also comprise several capsules containing different assets, vis-à-vis so many deformable areas 61 and openings 11, the choice of the asset to be released is left to the discretion of the user.

According to a fifth embodiment, illustrated in figure 5 , the breaking of the breakable wall of the capsule is obtained by a shock provided by a mass of inertia having undergone sufficient acceleration.

For this purpose, the capsule 2 and a mass of inertia 400 are inserted in a substantially cylindrical housing 402 of an insert 4 integral with the cap 3.

The housing 402 has a length less than the depth of the container 5, so as to be introduced therein for the use of the packaging.

The cylindrical housing 402 is closed at both ends.

The housing 402 is instead provided with an opening for the release into the container 5 of the aromatic composition of the capsule. This opening is for example a longitudinal slot 11 formed on its side wall. One of the dimensions of the opening (here, the width of the slot) is smaller than the diameter of the capsule.

Thus, the capsule is trapped in the volume 10 between one end of the housing 402 and the mass of inertia 400.

The mass of inertia 400 has for example a generally cylindrical shape, a diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the housing 402, so as to slide inside thereof.

The mass of inertia 400 has at its end located on the side of the capsule 2 an oval tip.

The mass of inertia 400 is also sufficiently heavy to break the rupturable wall of the capsule 2 when a user shakes the package.

The insert 4 is assembled on the cap 3 so as to constitute a plug 1 adaptable on the container 5.

For this purpose, the insert 4 has a bottom 44 perpendicular to the housing 402 and a peripheral wall 41 extending by a collar 43 intended to bear on the upper edge 52 of the neck of the container.

The insert 4 can be made in one piece by molding a plastic material, the end of the cylindrical housing 402 opposite the bottom 44 being left open to allow the insertion of the capsule and the mass of inertia. This opening is then closed by means of a cap 401.

The cap 401 and the mass of inertia 400 form the first and second movable elements within the meaning of the invention.

The insert 4 and the cap 3 are releasably connected, for example by gluing, welding, clipping ...

The cap 3 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall surrounding the neck 50 of the container and extending through a nozzle 32 for dispensing the mixture, which is for example in the form of a cannula closed by a lid (not shown here).

On the inside of its peripheral wall, the cap 3 has a thread 30 corresponding to the thread 51 of the neck.

To use the packaging, the user screws the cap 1 on the neck 50 of the container, then agitates the packaging along the axis of sliding of the mass of inertia 400 (that is to say in the direction of the arrows F1 and F2), so that the mass of inertia 400 hits the capsule 2 several times until breaking its wall.

The product contained in the capsule is then released into the base product through the slot 11 and mixes with it under the effect of agitation of the packaging.

After having broken the cover of the cap, the user can distribute the mixture thus obtained through the openings 41 provided in the bottom 44 of the insert 4.

This device has the advantage of optimizing the mixing since the release of the aromatic composition in the base product imposes a mixing action on the part of the user.

Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of the variant embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example of the dispensing device according to the invention, with reference to FIGS. Figures 6 to 9 .

The figure 6 is a side view of the package as it is delivered before use.

The figure 7 is a view according to the JJ cup of the figure 6 .

The device is constituted as a plug 1, made in two parts: a cap 3 and an insert 4. Between these two parts is disposed a capsule 2. Although a single spherical capsule is shown in these figures, it goes without saying that the device may comprise several capsules, possibly containing different products to be released, and possibly having different shapes and sizes.

The cap 1 is adaptable by screwing on the neck 50 of a container 5 which contains a base product intended to be mixed with the product to be released contained in the capsule 2.

The plug 1 is traversed by a distribution pipe 12 which opens into the container 5.

The cap 3 is in the form of a cannula comprising a central tip 32 traversed by said chimney 12.

The end of the chimney 12 opposite the container 5 is closed by a cover 34, which is connected for example to the end piece 32 by a smaller area of thickness and breakable by hand.

The insert 4 has a generally U-shaped shape with a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 42 and a bottom 44 having openings 11 for the release of the product contained in the capsule and a central opening 41 intended for dispensing the mixture obtained, through the chimney 12. The bottom 44 of the insert 4 forms the second movable element within the meaning of the invention.

In addition to the central endpiece 32, the cap 3 has two substantially cylindrical peripheral walls 36 and 37 coaxial.

The outer wall 36 has, on its inner face, a thread 30 adapted to the thread 51 of the neck 50.

The intermediate wall 37 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the peripheral wall 42 of the insert 4, allowing relative sliding of the insert 4 and the cap 3.

In the cap 3, the wall connecting the intermediate wall 37 and the central endpiece 32 has one or more teeth 38, located opposite the openings 11 of the insert 4 provided for the release of the product contained in the capsule 2. This wall coated with its (their) tooth (s) 38 forms the first movable element within the meaning of the invention.

Before using the device, the cap 3 and the insert 4 are held in a spaced apart position relative to each other by virtue of a peripheral gadget 371 on the insert 4 which is positioned in a housing provided for this purpose. effect in the wall 37 of the cap 3, in order to preserve the integrity of the capsule 2.

This retaining means is able to yield under the effect of a suitable force exerted by the user, so as to allow the approximation of the insert and the cap for the release of the product contained in the capsule.

In the example illustrated here, the end of the tip 32 located on the container side has, on its outer wall, a peripheral flange 35 of a diameter slightly greater than that of the opening 41 of the insert 4.

This forms a rigid chamber 10 for the capsule 2.

Advantageously, the openings 11 on the bottom 44 of the insert 4 are circular and have a flared profile for holding the capsule 2 under the corresponding tooth 38. The bottom 44 of the insert 4 forms the second movable element in the sense of the invention.

The figure 8 is a side view of the package in its use configuration.

The figure 9 is a view according to section HH of the figure 8 .

In order to release the product contained in the capsule 2, the user screws the stopper 1 on the neck of the container 5; the flange 43 located on the outside of the cylindrical wall 42 comes into abutment on the upper edge 52 of the neck. Continuing the screwing then brings the cap 3 and the insert 4 closer together. The tooth 38 breaks the wall of the capsule 2, the contents of which are released into the container 5 through the opening 11.

Thus, a single act of screwing the cap on the neck allows to release the dose contained in the capsule.

This design has the advantage that the rupture of the capsules is only dependent on the strength of the thread and not the user's strength, thus allowing a repeatable result regardless of the user.

This also allows the use of capsules having a higher strength than in the prior art, which facilitates the packaging and transport of the capsules prior to their insertion into the device.

After mixing the released product and the base product, the user breaks the seal 34 and distributes the mixture through the chimney 12.

The embodiment variant which has just been described is particularly suitable for the extemporaneous mixing of a perfuming composition with a cosmetic base product, such as a hair coloring, in order to mask the smell of ammonia.

However, it is understood that this example is in no way limiting and that the capsule or capsules may contain any asset as mentioned above.

Claims (14)

1. A removable device for preserving and releasing a product contained in a reservoir (2) having a rupturable wall for releasing said product, wherein said device comprises a rigid chamber (10) of variable volume containing at least one reservoir (2) containing said product, wherein said chamber comprises at least one opening (11) for releasing the product and comprising two components that can be moved with respect to each other, delimiting the chamber (10) of variable volume in order to cause the rupturing of the rupturable wall by crushing when they are brought together,
   wherein said device is in the form of a stopper (1) intended to be fitted on a container (5), and comprising:

   - a cap (3) which is able to engage with a neck (50) of said container (5) and through which passes a hollow dispensing tube (12) which leads into said container (5), wherein said cap (3) comprises the first movable component and has a screw thread (30),

   - an insert (4) able to be positioned on or in the neck (50) of said container, wherein said insert (4) comprises the second movable component,

   wherein said cap (3) and said insert (4) delimit said rigid chamber (10) of variable volume, and can be moved with respect to each other in order to cause the rupturing of the rupturable wall by crushing when they are brought together,
   characterized in that said stopper comprises means to displace the cap (3) with respect to the insert (4) and with respect to the neck (50), consisting of said screw thread (30) engaging with an interdependent screw thread (51) of the neck (50).
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises retaining means (371) for maintaining the two movable components in a given "separated" position, said means being able to yield when a suitable force is applied to the device to enable the bringing together of said movable components.
3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the insert (4) consists of a cylindrical peripheral wall extending from a bottom (44), wherein the upper end of the peripheral wall comprises a collar (43) resting on the upper edge (52) of the neck of the container, and wherein the bottom (44) of the insert comprises the opening or openings (11) for the distribution of the product in the container (5).
4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the bottom (44) of the insert (4) has in addition a central opening (41) for the distribution of the mixture obtained, through the hollow dispensing tube (12).
5. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bottom (44) of the insert (4) forms said second movable component.
6. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said cap (3) has a bottom with an outer side forming said first movable component.
7. The device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cap (3) has one or more teeth (38) located opposite the openings (11) of the insert (4).
8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the opening or openings (11) are proportioned to maintain the reservoir or reservoirs (2) in the chamber (10) before and after the rupturing of the rupturable wall.
9. The device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the reservoir is a spherical capsule (2) having a rupturable wall.
10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the openings (11) are circular and of a smaller diameter than that of the capsules (2).
11. The device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises as many openings (11) as reservoirs (2).
12. Use of the device according to one of claims 1 to 11 to release a product contained in a reservoir (2) having a rupturable wall in a base product selected from: a pharmaceutical composition, a drug, a cosmetic composition for the skin or hair, foodstuffs, processed foodstuffs, nutraceuticals or health foods, a product of personal, domestic or industrial hygiene, a phytopharmaceutical product or an insecticide.
13. Packaging for the preserving of two products intended to be mixed extemporaneously before their distribution, characterized in that it comprises a container (5) comprising a base product and a stopper (1) comprising a product to be released, wherein the stopper is defined according to one of claims 1 to 11.
14. A method for distributing a mixture of products prepared extemporaneously before their distribution, wherein said process comprises:

    - the application on the stopper (1) of the packaging according to claim 13 of a suitable force to bring the movable components closer together in order to enable the rupturing of the rupturable wall of the reservoir (2) and the releasing of the product in the container (5) comprising the base product,

    - the mixing of the released product with the base product, and then

    - the distribution of the mixture obtained out of the container.

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