EP2794416B1 - Dispositif de fermeture de récipient capable de distribuer des quantités mesurées de liquide - Google Patents

Dispositif de fermeture de récipient capable de distribuer des quantités mesurées de liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2794416B1
EP2794416B1 EP12784608.7A EP12784608A EP2794416B1 EP 2794416 B1 EP2794416 B1 EP 2794416B1 EP 12784608 A EP12784608 A EP 12784608A EP 2794416 B1 EP2794416 B1 EP 2794416B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
liquid
closure device
reservoir
porous structure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP12784608.7A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2794416A1 (fr
Inventor
Robert Jan Hamer
Neeltje Hendrika MOLENAAR
Jonkheer Theodoor Hendrik Van De Poll
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
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Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
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Publication date
Application filed by Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Priority to EP12784608.7A priority Critical patent/EP2794416B1/fr
Publication of EP2794416A1 publication Critical patent/EP2794416A1/fr
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Publication of EP2794416B1 publication Critical patent/EP2794416B1/fr
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
    • B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/08—Packaging groups of articles, the articles being individually gripped or guided for transfer to the containers or receptacles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a container closure device capable of dispensing metered amounts of liquid.
  • a variety of packaging materials represented by devices such as stoppers, lid seals, seals, caps, lids, plugs and valves designed to close bottles, flask, jars, boxes, cans, barrels, tanks, tubs and other containers used to package and store food, dietary products and cosmetic products are commercially available.
  • a container is generally defined as an assembly of materials designed to receive, contain and protect a good intended to be stored, transported and opened by the consumer.
  • a suitable container may contribute to the preservation of its contents by forming a physical barrier to for example, external germs and microbes, moisture and direct sun-light.
  • the barrier afforded by the container is breached upon opening, whereupon the contents may be exposed to air, which may initiate and/or quicken spoilage.
  • a suitable container closure device such as a screw-on cap, allows the opening and re-closure of the container, such as a bottle or jar, limiting the exposure and possibly extending the open shelf-life.
  • the open shelf-life is defined as the time during which the contents are considered safe to consume after opening the container for the first time. For example, many food products have a maximum 'open' shelf-life during which they are considered safe to use after the container is opened for the first time by the consumer.
  • a known method to extend the open shelf-life is to mix chemical preservatives directly into the food product during manufacture such as antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds.
  • chemical preservatives especially non-natural preservatives in foods, is disliked by consumers and is considered unhealthy.
  • typically a relatively large amount of preservatives are mixed throughout the product since it is not known beforehand which parts of the contents may experience exposure (e.g. surface layer).
  • US 2008/0169217 discloses a closure device in accordance with the preamble of appended claim 1, capable of releasing preservatives directly onto the surface of a product in a container (i.e. the contents) upon closing of the container. Most of the preservatives held by the closure device are released into the container during the first closing action of the container with the closure device.
  • the release of most of the preservatives during the first closing action is undesirable. It may lead to a high local concentration on the surface (i.e. top-layer) of the product, which in turn may result in an off-taste when food is sampled by the consumer. Furthermore, when the top-layer of the food product is consumed the level of preservatives remaining in the food product may drop below their effective concentration.
  • WO 01/68470 discloses a device capable of releasing a gaseous aromatic material during several successive opening actions of a container.
  • the closure device comprises an expandable/contractible hollow, which fills with gas, evaporated from an impregnated body, when the device is in place on the container (i.e. container is closed). When the container is opened gaseous material is expelled from the hollow into the headspace of the container.
  • Said closure device does not enable dispensing of a metered amount of liquid material nor teaches how to dispense material during closure of a container.
  • a liquid dosage is dispensed each time.
  • a mayonnaise jar it may be opened and closed several times during the course of a dinner, while only a small amount of product is taken out each time.
  • Limiting the amount of dispensed material during successive opening and/or closing actions when performed in quick succession may prevent premature depletion of the material (i.e. before a significant part of the container contents are consumed).
  • fluid may flow from the reservoir through the one or more perforations in the rigid plate via the connecting channels into the porous structure, for example by capillary force and/or gravity.
  • a metered amount may accumulate in the porous structure.
  • the closure device is placed onto the container a metered amount of liquid is present in the porous structure and is in contact with the container interior (e.g. headspace). While the container is closed with the closure device, the liquid evaporates and/or drips from the porous structure into the (rest of the) container interior and may come into contact with the container contents, such as a food product.
  • the closure device is re-set to dispense another metered amount of liquid into the porous structure upon a subsequent opening action.
  • the closure device is capable of dispensing a metered amount of liquid into a container, capable of doing so at least a second time and capable of controlling the amount of liquid dispensed into the container when opened/closed in quick succession.
  • the present invention relates to a container closure device capable of dispensing a metered amount of a liquid into a container, wherein said container cap comprises:
  • the gaseous form of the dispensed material allows more efficient distribution of the dispensed material over the entire air-exposed surface of the container and its contents.
  • the screw-cap according to Fig. 1 is characterized by its additive function, which consists of containing and dispensing a liquid; and exposing a product in the container to the dispensed liquid as drops (i.e. as a liquid) and/or as a gas (e.g. by evaporation).
  • screw-cap may be a click-on closure or the like.
  • Fig.1 shows a closure device according to the invention and the container in opened configuration.
  • the closure device is in the form of a cap and is fitted with an internal thread (1) enabling it to be screwed onto the neck of the container (2).
  • the channels (7) are formed by the area enclosed by the rigid plate (4), the ledge (9) and the deformable and elastic structure (10).
  • part of the channels (7) e.g. part of the channel wall
  • the deformable and elastic structure (10) can for example be made from silicon rubber.
  • the porous structure (8) is made of an absorbent sponge-like material capable of absorbing liquid. Liquid present in the reservoir (5) is capable of flowing through the perforations (6) via the channels (7) into the porous structure (8).
  • the porous structure (8) is capable of holding from 1 to 15 volume percent of the maximum amount of liquid which can be held by the reservoir (5).
  • Fig. 3 is a view of the closure device of the first embodiment, wherein the side is shown facing the interior of the container in case the closure device is in place on the container.
  • the A- A' dashed line represents the position of the axial cross-sections shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 .
  • the parts of the channel (7) tunneling through the ledge (9) are illustrated by dotted lines, although said parts are (i.e. tunnels) typically not visible from this perspective.
  • the closure device of the first embodiment comprises a deformable and elastic structure (10) which forms a circular flap around the porous structure (8) from which it is separated by a ledge (9).
  • Fig. 4 is a view of the closure device of the first embodiment, as Fig. 3 , but wherein the porous structure (8) and the deformable and elastic structure (10) have been deleted from the illustration to show the perforations (6) and a larger part of the channel (7). Again, the parts of the channel tunneling (7) through the ledge (9) are illustrated by dotted lines.
  • the closure device of the first embodiment comprises ten perforations (6) spaced radially around the porous structure (8) to enable liquid to flow from the reservoir (5) at multiple points.
  • the number and radial arrangement of the perforations (6) shown in Fig. 3 is not essential. The shown arrangement is only illustrative of a specific embodiment and is non-limiting.
  • one or more channels (7) may be defined.
  • the deformable and elastic structure (10) forms a circular flap and the enclosed area underneath it (i.e. channel (7)) forms a circular space which interconnects the perforations (6) and comprises the ten tunnels though ledge (9) leading off to the porous structure (8).
  • Said enclosed space, including the ten tunnels may be seen as one channel (7) or as a set of interconnected channels (7).
  • Fig. 5 is an axial cross section through a second embodiment of the closure device not in-place on the container.
  • the perforations (12) and the channels (13) are aligned to form smooth tunnels which bore through the circular ledge (14) and the deformable and elastic structure (15).
  • the deformable and elastic structure (15) for example made from silicon rubber, in this embodiment has the shape of a thick cylindrical ring positioned between the ledge (14) and the cap wall (16).
  • This elastic and deformable structure (15) is perforated at regular intervals to form the channels (13) which are aligned to the perforations (12) in the rigid plate (17). Therefore, in this embodiment each perforation (12) is connected to one channel (13).
  • a tube with a one way pressure valve (20) is provided in the cap wall (16) which allows gas (e.g. air) to enter the reservoir (19) from outside in case of under-pressure in the reservoir.
  • Fig. 6 shows the cap according to Fig. 5 screwed onto the neck of the container thereby closing it.
  • the closure device When the closure device is in-place on the neck of the container, the deformable and elastic structure (15) is deformed by the container mouth (21) having come in close proximity with the rigid plate (17) and closes-off the channels. Said closure stops the flow of liquid from the reservoir (19) into the porous structure (18).
  • the dispensed liquid which may be present in the porous structure (18) may suitably evaporate and/or drip into the interior of the container.
  • Both the first and second embodiment of the closure device as illustrated in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 respectively comprise a circular ledge (9, 14).
  • the ledge (9, 14) provides added structural stability, allows improved control over the shape of the deformable and elastic structure (10, 15) when deformed and may improve restriction of the flow of liquid (i.e. reduces leakage) by the compressed deformable and elastic structure.
  • the closure device according to the invention comprises a ledge (9, 14).
  • said open cell, sponge-like and/or low-density fibre structures comprise, more preferably are essentially made of, polymers and/or natural polymers, even more preferably comprise, still even more preferably are essentially made of, compounds selected from the list consisting of polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl, polysulphone, polymers of starch, cellulose, agarose, casein, chitosan or lactic acid and combinations thereof.
  • the rigid plate (4, 17) is preferably not adjustable in relation to the cap wall (3, 16) (e.g. is fixed to the cap wall), more preferably both the cap wall and the rigid plate are made from a rigid material and even more preferably comprise or essentially consist of hard metal and/or hard polymer (e.g. a hard plastic at room temperature).
  • the rigid plate (4, 17) comprises one or more perforations (6, 12) capable of allowing liquid to transfer from the reservoir (5, 19) to the porous structure (8, 18) via the one or more channels (7, 13).
  • the size of the perforations (6, 12) and the size of the channels (7, 13) may vary.
  • the width of the one or more perforations (6, 12) and the connecting channels (7, 13) should be such as to be capable of allowing fluid to flow from the reservoir (5, 19) to the porous structure (8, 18), such as by capillary force and/or gravity (when the closure device is not in place and the container is open).
  • the average diameter of the perforations in the rigid plate (4, 17) ranges from 0.05 to 8 millimetre, more preferably from 0.1 to 5 millimetre, even more preferably from 0.25 to 4 millimetre and still more preferably from 0.5 to 2 millimetre.
  • the average length of the flow passage from the reservoir (5, 19) to the porous structure (8, 18) ranges from 0.01 to 50 millimetre, more preferably from 0.1 to 40 millimetre, even more preferably from 1 to 30 millimetre and still more preferably from 3 to 15 millimetre.
  • perforation (6, 12) is indicated the position where liquid may pass through the rigid plate (4, 17).
  • a perforation (6, 12) connected to a channel (7, 13) forms an end of said channel.
  • the tunnel through said plate may also be considered as part of a channel (7, 13).
  • Liquid material flowing from the reservoir (5, 19) into the porous structure (8, 18) will pass at least one perforation (6, 12) and at least one connecting channel (7, 13).
  • Multiple channels (7, 13) may connect to the same perforation (6, 12), one channel may connect to all the perforations (e.g. as in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 ) and each perforation may connect to one channel (e.g. as in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 to Fig. 6 ).
  • the channels (7, 13) may be simple or branched.
  • a characteristic feature of the closure device according to the invention is that at least one, preferably all said channels (7, 13) are at least partly formed by a deformable and elastic structure (10, 15) which allows the flow through the channel to be restricted when said structure (10, 15) is deformed.
  • the channels need not have any particular shape and/or length as long as they allow flow of liquid from the reservoir (5, 19) to the porous structure (8, 18), preferably by a combination of capillary forces and gravity, more preferably by capillary force, when the closure device is not in-place on the container (container is opened).
  • the number of perforations (6, 12) and channels (7, 13) may affect the overall flow-rate of liquid from the reservoir (5, 19) into the porous structure (8, 18) (when the closure device is not in place on the container). It will be appreciated that the number of perforations (6, 12) will typically also relate to the size of the cap (i.e. a rigid plate (4, 17) with a large surface area typically contains a larger number of perforations). Preferably the number of perforations (6, 12) in the rigid plate (4, 17) is 2 to 100, more preferably 2 to 25, even more preferably 3 to 15 and still even more preferably 5 to 12.
  • the number of communicating channels (7, 13) equals the number of perforations (6, 12) to allow separate flow-streams of liquid from the reservoir (5, 19) to the porous structure (8, 18).
  • the channels (7, 13) are spaced as to allow liquid to enter (i.e. be absorbed by) the porous structure (8, 18) at different points.
  • the perforations (6, 12) are spaced (as shown in Fig. 4 ) as to allow liquid to exit the reservoir (5, 19) at different points. It will be appreciated that depending on the specific design and application of the closure device there is a maximum flow-rate of liquid from the reservoir (5, 19) to the porous structure (8, 18) and a minimum time required to saturate the porous structure.
  • the time between opening and closing a container with a container device according the invention is 1 to 1200 seconds, more preferably 5 to 600 seconds and even more preferably 15 to 240 seconds.
  • these closing actions preferably are not performed in quick succession to suitably allow at least part of the liquid present in the porous structure (8, 18) to evaporate when the container is closed with the closure device. It will be appreciated that depending on the specific embodiment of the closure device and the specific application (e.g. type of liquid) the time required to release a metered amount from the porous structure (8, 18), when in-place on the container, may vary.
  • the closure device according to the invention preferably is left in place on the container for 1 to 7200 minutes, more preferably 10 to 3600 minutes, even more preferably 30 to 600 minutes and still more preferably 60 to 120 minutes.
  • porous structure (8, 18) is absorbent.
  • An absorbent porous structure (8, 18) may increase the flow-rate of liquid from the reservoir (5, 19) when the closure device is not in-place on the container.
  • the porous structure (8, 18) comprises an absorbent material with an open cell structure, a sponge-like structure or a low-density fibre structure or combinations thereof; which may be impregnated by the dispensed liquid and positioned to be in contact with the interior (e.g. headspace) of the container.
  • a low-density fibrous structure is a piece of cotton or a piece of cloth.
  • said absorbent material comprises, more preferably is essentially made of, polymers and/or natural polymers, even more preferably comprises, still even more preferably is essentially made of, compounds selected from the list consisting of polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl, polysulphone, polymers of starch, cellulose, agarose, casein, chitosan or lactic acid and combinations thereof.
  • the liquid attraction e.g. capillary force
  • the liquid attraction e.g. capillary force
  • the surface of the rigid plate (4, 17), facing the container interior when the closure device is in closed position, may form microstructures which are connected to the channels (7, 13) and capable of being impregnated (e.g. absorbing) liquid from the channels by capillary forces.
  • microstructures are grooves etched into the surface of the rigid plate (4, 17) and in line with a channel (7, 13). Such microstructures thus may form a porous structure (8, 18) and fall within the ambit of the present invention.
  • Liquid may be released from the porous structure (8, 18) into the container by dripping (i.e. as droplets). As such it may effectively be dosed onto the surface of the container contents.
  • Liquid present in the porous structure (8, 18) may leave the structure as a gas, for example by evaporation. As a gas the dispensed material may efficiently distribute over the entire air-exposed surface of the container (e.g. headspace, the interior face of the container walls as well as its contents).
  • Liquid present in the porous structure (8, 18) may also leave the structure by a combination of dripping and evaporation. A combination of dripping and evaporation enables distribution of the dispensed material over the entire air-exposed surface of the container but with a relatively high concentration dispensed onto the surface of the container contents (e.g. a food).
  • Dripping of dispensed liquid directly onto the container contents may lead to a high local concentration (e.g. on the surface), off-taste and/or a reduced overall effectiveness of the dispensed material (e.g. preservative).
  • a high local concentration e.g. on the surface
  • off-taste e.g. preservative
  • a reduced overall effectiveness of the dispensed material e.g. preservative.
  • at least part of the dispensed liquid and more preferably all the dispensed liquid leaves the porous structure (8, 18) by evaporation (i.e. as a gas). Evaporated liquid more efficiently distributes over the entire air-exposed surface of the container and its contents.
  • liquid may enter the porous structure (8, 18) until a point of saturation of the porous structure is reached. After this point the flow-rate of the liquid will drop (e.g. a reduced flow may still continue driven by evaporation of liquid from the porous structure (8, 18) and/or by dripping).
  • the absorbent capacity (i.e. capacity to hold liquid) of the porous structure (8, 18) and the type of liquid are suitable chosen to minimize liquid lost due to dripping when the closure device is not in place on the container. It will be appreciated that a volume of liquid flowing out of the reservoir (5, 19) may require a similar volume of air to enter into the reservoir to avoid formation of an under-pressure.
  • a closure device may be fitted with one or more openings (20) (e.g. tubes) through the cap-wall (3, 16), more preferably above the level of the liquid in the reservoir (5, 19) (e.g. the top part of the cap wall) which even more preferably comprise one-way pressure operated valves to enable air to enter the reservoir (5, 19) in case of under-pressure.
  • Said one-way valve also prevents evaporation of liquid in the reservoir along the said one or more openings (20) in the cap wall. Reducing under-pressure, if any, in the reservoir (5, 19) may improve the flow- rate of liquid from the reservoir into the porous structure (8, 18) when the cap is not in-place on the container.
  • headspace generally indicates the region of the interior of the container above the level of any product contained therein. It will be appreciated that this term also encompasses the situation where what is defined as the headspace is a closed void formed beneath the closure cap.
  • gas emanating from the porous structure (8, 18) is capable of contacting the contents of the container.
  • the deformable and elastic structure (10, 15) Upon closure of a container with the closure device according to the invention the deformable and elastic structure (10, 15) is deformed and restricts, preferably completely stops, the flow of liquid going from the reservoir (5, 19) to the porous structure (8, 18) by partly or completely blocking the channels (7, 13).
  • the force of deformation e.g. compression
  • the parts of the closure device are suitably arranged as to allow the deformable and elastic structure (10, 15) to be deformed (e.g. compressed, squeezed) between the rigid plate (4, 17) and any suitable rigid surface of the container upon closing, such as the rim of the container mouth (11, 21).
  • the position of the deformable and elastic structure (10, 15) is such that it abuts the rim of the container mouth (11, 21) when the closure device is in place on the container.
  • the elastic structure (10, 15) and/or the rigid plate (4, 17) are capable of providing an air-tight seal with the mouth (11, 21) of the container opening.
  • the surface of the rigid plate (4, 17) and/or deformable and elastic structure (10, 15) which abuts the container mouth (11, 21) when the closure device is in place may be coated by a rubber and/or silicon layer.
  • the deformable and elastic structure (10, 15) upon opening of the container (e.g. the closure device is removed from the jar by a consumer, i.e. the closure device is not in place on the container) the deformable and elastic structure (10, 15) is capable of reforming to its non deformed (e.g. non compressed) shape and allows unrestricted flow of liquid from the reservoir (5, 19) into the porous structure (8, 18) to resume.
  • the deformable and elastic structure (10, 15) is capable of substantially re-attaining its uncompressed shape (i.e. allows flow to resume) in a short time-span and preferably within 60 seconds, more preferably within 30 seconds, even more preferably within 15 second and still even more preferably within 5 seconds upon opening of the container.
  • the closure cap according to the invention is especially suitable for dispensing liquids with a low viscosity.
  • the viscosity of the liquid is 0.01 to 1000 mPa.s, more preferably 0.1 to 10 mPa.s, even more preferably 0.2 to 5 mPa.s and still even more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mPa.s at a temperature ranging from 2 to 40 degrees Celsius, and more preferably at a temperature ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.
  • the enclosure device is capable of dispensing a metered amount of liquid from the reservoir (5, 19) into the container (via the porous structure (8, 18)).
  • the liquid is transferred from the reservoir (5, 19) to the porous structure (8, 18) when the closure device is not in place on the container (e.g. container is opened).
  • a metered amount of liquid is defined as an amount falling within a chosen minimum and maximum amount. Subject to considerations such as the specific application of the closing device, the volume of container, the volume of the reservoir (5, 19), the concentration of an active in the liquid and the desired number of dispensing actions; the minimum and maximum volume chosen to form the metered amount of liquid may vary.
  • a metered amount is 0.1 to 50 vol. %, more preferably 0.5 to 25 vol. %, even more preferably 0.75 to 15 vol. % and still more preferably 1 to 5 vol. % of the volume of the liquid with which the closure device is initially loaded.
  • the ratio of the volume of the reservoir (5, 19) to the volume of the container is 0.001:1 to 5:1, preferably 0.1:1 to 1:1.
  • the reservoir (5, 19) of the closure device is filled as far as possible with liquid material to be dispensed. Also encompassed are embodiments of the closure device which allow refilling of the reservoir (5, 19) with liquid material.
  • the maximum volume of liquid with which the reservoir (5, 19) may be filled depends on the structure of the reservoir, such as the density of the reservoir.
  • the reservoir (5, 19) is filled with 10 to 95 volume percent, more preferably 20 to 80 volume percent, even more preferably 30 to 70 volume percent and still more preferably 30 to 60 volume percent of liquid based on the total volume of the reservoir.
  • the liquid which may be present in the reservoir (5, 19) may have any suitable chemical property and for example form a watery or oily solution.
  • the liquid may be an organic and/or inorganic solvent or comprises a mixture of solvents.
  • the liquid is a volatile material to allow efficient transformation of the dispensed liquid into gaseous form in the porous structure (8, 18). It will be appreciated that preferably the liquid does not compromise the structural integrity of the closure device, for example by dissolving the structural components of the reservoir (5, 19).
  • the liquid may be a mixture of liquids.
  • the reservoir (5, 19) comprises a liquid and more preferably a liquid which is a Newtonian fluid and even more preferably a liquid which is a water-continuous system.
  • the liquid comprises one or more actives selected from the list consisting of dietary supplements, antioxidants, flavours, colouring agents, preservatives, thickeners, surfactants, dispersing agents, release agents, diffusing agents and stabilisers, more preferably one or more antimicrobials and even more preferably bacteriocides or fungicides and combinations thereof.
  • the liquid comprises compounds selected from the list consisting of lactic acid, acetic acid, peracetic acid, tartaric acid, benzoic acid, sodium and potassium sulphites, sodium and potassium nitrites, sodium and potassium bicarbonate, sodium and potassium sorbates, sodium and potassium benzoates, hydroxyl-8 quinoline, peroxide, salts, ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, nisin and other bacteriocins and combinations thereof.
  • the liquid may essentially consist of said compounds in case these are liquid themselves.
  • the actives may be dissolved in the liquid according to the standard way in accordance with the chosen ingredients. It will be further appreciated that based on the specific properties of the liquid, liquid is dispensed into the porous structure (8, 18) and may completely evaporate.
  • the liquid and/or any compounds present in the liquid leave a residue when the liquid evaporates (e.g. salts) preferably these kinds of liquids at least partly drip through the porous structure (8, 18) in liquid form.
  • a feature of the closure device according to the invention is that the dispensing of liquid into the porous structure (8, 18) may occur relatively quickly, while the dripping and/or evaporation from the porous structure may occur relatively slowly (depending on the nature of the liquid).
  • This feature makes the closure device especially suitable for food containers which are opened and closed in quick succession to control the amount of liquid dispensed in a short amount of time. For example during dinner, a mayonnaise jar may be opened and closed several times while only a small amount of mayonnaise may be consumed each time. In such a case, the porous structure (8, 18) may reach saturation during the first opening after which little liquid from the reservoir (5, 19) is further dispensed.
  • the porous structure (8, 18) can suitably release the metered dispensed liquid by evaporation and/or dripping.
  • the device may more effectively be used to extend the shelf-life of foods as it may allow dispensing of liquid, such as a preservative, over a greater part of the product's life-time (i.e. the time span between the first opening of the container by the consumer and the time at which the product is essentially consumed).
  • preservatives i.e. chemical preservatives
  • mixing of a relatively large amount of preservatives is required since it is not know beforehand which parts of the product will be directly exposed (e.g. surface layer) during use and which parts will not (e.g. parts of the mayonnaise in the bottom corner of a jar).
  • preservatives are added to the area of the container and its contents which have been directly exposed to the air (e.g. the surface). Therefore a lower amount of total preservatives may be required to provide an extended open shelf-life.
  • the present invention encompasses a method to reduce the amount of required preservative to provide a suitable open shelf-life of spoilage-sensitive product by closing the container by a closure device according to the invention. It will be appreciated that in a method according to the invention to reduce the amount of chemical preservatives preferably, during manufacturing the contents will have undergone one or more suitable physical preservation processes such as, heating, irradiation, drying and/or freezing.
  • the method according to the invention to extend the open shelf-life and/or reduce the amount of preservative are applied to a container comprising an edible product comprising 5 to 95 weight percent of water, more preferably an edible product selected from the list consisting of sauces, purees, candied fruits, jams, cooked vegetables, compotes, water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions, pastes, creams, dairy products and food concentrates and combinations thereof and even more preferably comprises an edible product selected from the list consisting of dairy based spreads, low-fat margarines, margarines, preservative free margarines, mayonnaise, dressings, puddings, tomato sauce, beverages such as teas and milk teas, condiments such as pesto sauce, jelly-based soup-, gravy- and sauce concentrates and combinations thereof.
  • an edible product selected from the list consisting of sauces, purees, candied fruits, jams, cooked vegetables, compotes, water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Dispositif de fermeture de récipient permettant de distribuer une quantité dosée de liquide dans un récipient, ladite fermeture de récipient comprenant :
    - une paroi de capuchon (3),
    - un réservoir (5) pouvant être rempli d'un liquide,
    - une structure poreuse (8),
    - une plaque rigide (4), ladite plaque comprenant une ou plusieurs perforations (6) communiquant avec ledit réservoir (5),
    caractérisé par
    ladite plaque rigide (4) étant positionnée entre ledit réservoir et ladite structure poreuse (8) et
    - un ou plusieurs canaux (7) permettant de faire communiquer ladite perforation (6) avec la structure poreuse (8),
    au moins une partie dudit au moins un canal (7) est constituée d'une structure déformable et élastique (10) permettant de limiter la communication à travers lesdits canaux (7) lors d'une déformation.
  2. Dispositif de fermeture selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le diamètre moyen des perforations (6) dans la plaque rigide (4) est de 0,1 à 5 millimètres et de préférence de 0,5 à 2 millimètres.
  3. Dispositif de fermeture selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel le nombre de perforations (6) est de 2 à 25 et de préférence de 5 à 12.
  4. Dispositif de fermeture selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel la structure poreuse (8) est capable d'absorber 0,5 à 25% en volume et de préférence de 1 à 5% en volume du volume maximum de liquide avec lequel le réservoir (5) peut être rempli.
  5. Dispositif de fermeture selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel le dispositif de fermeture est capable de distribuer une quantité dosée d'un liquide pendant 2 à 50 et de préférence pendant 5 à 8 actions de fermeture.
  6. Dispositif de fermeture selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la structure poreuse (8) contient un matériau absorbant et de préférence contient un matériau à alvéoles ouvertes, une structure similaire à une éponge ou une structure fibreuse basse densité ou des combinaisons de celles-ci.
  7. Dispositif de fermeture selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel la structure déformable et élastique (10) est capable d'atteindre sa forme non compressée de préférence en 60 secondes et de préférence en 5 secondes lors de l'ouverture du récipient.
  8. Dispositif de fermeture selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel la structure déformable et élastique (10) contient un ou plusieurs composés sélectionné(s) dans la liste constituée du caoutchouc au silicone, du caoutchouc naturel, du caoutchouc nitrile, du caoutchouc nitrile hydrogéné, du caoutchouc éthylène propylène, de polyuréthane et de fluoro-élastomères.
  9. Dispositif de fermeture selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel le réservoir (5) contient un liquide avec une viscosité de 0,1 à 10 mPa.s, de préférence de 0,5 à 1,5 mPa.s, à une température allant de 2 à 40 degrés Celsius.
  10. Dispositif de fermeture selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel le réservoir (5) contient un liquide contenant un ou plusieurs principes actifs sélectionnés dans la liste constituée de compléments alimentaires, d'antioxydants, d'arômes, d'agents colorants, de conservateurs, d'épaississants, de tensioactifs, d'agents dispersants, d'agents de libération, d'agents de diffusion et de stabilisants et de préférence un ou plusieurs agents antimicrobiens.
  11. Dispositif de fermeture selon l'une des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel le réservoir (5) contient un liquide contenant des composés sélectionnés dans la liste constituée de l'acide lactique, de l'acide acétique, de l'acide péracétique, de l'acide tartrique, de l'acide benzoïque, de sulfites de sodium et de potassium, de nitrites de sodium et de potassium, de bicarbonate de sodium et de potassium, de sorbates de sodium et de potassium, de benzoates de sodium et de potassium, d'hydroxyl-8-quinoline, de peroxyde, de sels, d'éthanol, d'hypochlorite de sodium, de ricine et d'autres bactériocines ; et des combinaisons de ceux-ci.
  12. Récipient muni d'un dispositif de fermeture selon l'une des revendications 1 à 11, dans lequel le rapport entre le volume du réservoir (5) et le volume du récipient va de 0,001:1 à 5:1, de préférence de 0,1:1 à 1:1.
  13. Procédé de prolongement de la durée de vie de stockage de contenus sujets à la décomposition contenus dans un récipient, comprenant les étapes de fermeture du dispositif avec un dispositif de fermeture selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, dans lequel le réservoir (5) contient un conservateur.
  14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, dans lequel lesdits contenus sujets à la décomposition contiennent un produit comestible sélectionné dans la liste constituée de pâtes à base de produits laitiers, de margarines à faible teneur en graisses, de margarines, de margarines sans conservateurs, de mayonnaise, de sauces salades, de puddings, de sauce tomate, de boissons telles que du thé et des thés au lait, des condiments tels que de la sauce pesto, de la soupe à base de gelée, de concentrés à base de jus et de sauces et de combinaisons de ces produits.
  15. Procédé selon la revendication 13 ou la revendication 14, dans lequel au moins une partie du liquide distribué dans la structure poreuse (8) et de préférence tout le liquide distribué est transformé en un gaz entrant en contact avec le contenu du récipient.
EP12784608.7A 2011-12-22 2012-11-15 Dispositif de fermeture de récipient capable de distribuer des quantités mesurées de liquide Not-in-force EP2794416B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12784608.7A EP2794416B1 (fr) 2011-12-22 2012-11-15 Dispositif de fermeture de récipient capable de distribuer des quantités mesurées de liquide

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11195071 2011-12-22
PCT/EP2012/072701 WO2013092022A1 (fr) 2011-12-22 2012-11-15 Dispositif de fermeture de récipient apte à distribuer des quantités dosées de liquide
EP12784608.7A EP2794416B1 (fr) 2011-12-22 2012-11-15 Dispositif de fermeture de récipient capable de distribuer des quantités mesurées de liquide

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2794416A1 EP2794416A1 (fr) 2014-10-29
EP2794416B1 true EP2794416B1 (fr) 2015-10-21

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12784608.7A Not-in-force EP2794416B1 (fr) 2011-12-22 2012-11-15 Dispositif de fermeture de récipient capable de distribuer des quantités mesurées de liquide

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20140335234A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2794416B1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2560027T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2013092022A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3098831A (en) * 1959-05-01 1963-07-23 Us Rubber Co Expanded polyethylene and method of making the same
DE4010752A1 (de) * 1990-04-03 1991-10-10 Metzeler Schaum Gmbh Verfahren zur herstellung eines flammwidrigen, elastischen polyurethan-weichschaumstoffes
WO2001068470A1 (fr) 2000-03-16 2001-09-20 Brian Slade Dispositif de fermeture permettant la diffusion d'arome
FR2881115B1 (fr) 2005-01-26 2008-10-31 Bonneau Marguerite Gabrielle Calone Nouveaux bouchons et couvercles bioactifs: procedes de fabrication, proprietes caracteristiques et applications industrielles
DE102006046537A1 (de) * 2006-09-29 2008-04-03 Leidel U. Kracht Schaumstoff-Technik Gmbh Kopfstütze auf Schaumstoffbasis, sowie Verfahren zum Herstellen einer solchen Kopfstütze
US7798056B2 (en) * 2006-10-17 2010-09-21 Kramer James F Fruit flavoring in the image of a fruit portion stored with a vessel for flavoring a fluid

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2013092022A1 (fr) 2013-06-27
ES2560027T3 (es) 2016-02-17
EP2794416A1 (fr) 2014-10-29
US20140335234A1 (en) 2014-11-13

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