EP3052402B1 - Measuring cap - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of plugs intended to be connected to the threaded neck of a bottle or container, in order to transfer into the contents of the bottle or container a liquid additive, pasty or powder, for example a supplement organoleptic, a mineral, a colorant, a taste additive or a chemical supplement, for example a catalyst, a reagent or a detergent. The content of the measuring cap is intended to be mixed with the contents of the container or bottle on which it is placed, or to reload this container.

To allow easy use of these dosing caps, they must reduce handling and ensure a perfect seal both during the placement phase on the container that during the transfer phase of the dose contained in the measuring cap.

State of the art

In the state of the art, various solutions are known for producing such devices, in particular for producing dosing plugs.

It is known in the state of the art the German patent DE102004013270 describing a screw-on accessory on the neck of a bottle, and having a lid. This lid is connected to the inner annular surface of the accessory by a peripheral annular area of lesser thickness. When the accessory is screwed onto the neck of the bottle, the frontal area of the neck comes into contact with the operculum - and not with the peripheral annular zone of lesser thickness, then exerts an axial force causing a tear in this annular zone. , in an uncontrolled way until provoking tear. The lid is then released and the neck enters the interior of the accessory.

This solution has a seal at the bottom of the thread which is not adapted to retain the contents of the accessory during the various manipulations of the system.

• une première pièce en forme de capsule possédant un fond et une jupe latérale dont l'extrémité opposée au fond est pourvue d'un filetage intérieur
• une seconde pièce en forme de cuvette avec un fond et une jupe latérale.

It is also known in the state of the art the US patent application US2010 / 301002 describing a dosage cap for an addition product to a liquid contained in a container with a neck adapted to receive a screw cap which comprises:

• a first capsule-shaped part having a bottom and a side skirt whose end opposite the bottom is provided with an internal thread
• a second bowl-shaped piece with a bottom and a side skirt.

The bowl and the capsule have first latching means which cooperate in maintaining the bowl in the capsule in a first relative axial position with, between them, a sealed peripheral contact.

A spacer extends inside the bowl skirt from the bottom thereof towards the bottom of the capsule to form a stop limiting the depression of the bowl in the capsule beyond this first position. This spacer is a means of breaking the bottom of the bowl when the depression of the latter in the capsule is forced beyond said first position by the neck drinking.

This solution has sealing difficulties because of the sliding of the capsule relative to the bowl.

Furthermore, the spacer occupies the useful volume and therefore reduces the capacity of the dosing cap. It can also deform during screwing, and thus not effectively fulfill its role of driving.

The document is also known US2008 / 142471 which describes another example of a measuring cap.

The patent application US2007 / 0079895 discloses a container according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a water reservoir, a threaded neck, and an upper reservoir. This upper reservoir has an upper part, a lower part removably attached to the upper part, a cylindrical coupling element projected downwards from the lower part and having internal threads fixed on the neck, and a formed seal in an upper part of the coupling element and above the opening. In the variant illustrated by the figures 5 and 6 of this document, a hollow element pushes a seal, when the user presses the top of the elastomeric upper reservoir.

Disadvantages of prior art

Many solutions of the prior art provide a finger disposed in the interior volume of the dispenser, coming to exert a force on a lid when screwing the dispenser on the neck of the container.

These solutions have several disadvantages. In the first place, the volume of this finger reduces the useful volume, and makes it necessary to increase the size of the dispenser to compensate for the dead volume occupied by the finger.

Second, the embodiment by plastic molding is complicated by this erect finger on the surface of the bottom of the cap.

Other solutions include a lid surrounded by a broken tear line when the dispenser is engaged on the neck of the bottle and screwed.

These solutions are not satisfactory either because the cap is released after rupture, and can enter the bottle, or move in a position where it hinders the flow of the contents of the dispenser to the bottle, moreover the seal is not ensured at the rim or the top of the ring of the bottle, which causes a loss of the contents of the accessory during the various manipulations of the system.

Furthermore, the solutions of the prior art have complex configurations requiring either the assembly of several parts or an industrial production with complex molding tools, including drawer molds.

Finally, in most solutions of the prior art, the devices comprise different parts in relative movement, which makes it difficult to obtain a good seal.

Solution provided by the invention

In order to overcome these drawbacks, the present invention relates to a device according to claim 1. Thus, during the start of rotation after the two threads are engaged, the device engages around the neck of the bottle, and the transverse zone approaches the frontal surface of the cervix until this frontal area of the cervix comes into contact with the peripheral annular zone - and not with the operculum. By continuing the screwing, the frontal surface of the neck exerts an axial stress, perpendicular to this transverse zone of increasing amplitude, to cause tearing along the rupture line, which releases the seal.

Advantageously, the device has a stop, in particular of arcuate shape, whose median line has a radius R where R corresponds substantially to the median radius of the threaded neck of said container, said stop being configured to bear on the front surface of the neck of the bottle during the screwing of the skirt on the threaded neck of the container and a hinge zone whose median radius is greater than R.

• postérieur à l'amorçage du vissage, où les deux éléments filetés entrent en contact, et
• et antérieur à l'arrivée en butée.

"During screwing" in the sense of this patent means a stage of engagement of the screwing:

• after initiation of the screwing, where the two threaded elements come into contact, and
• and prior to arrival in abutment.

This device is a monolithic piece, molded in one piece without any insert (except possibly the bottom placed after filling the device). This solves the sealing problems encountered when assembling additional parts.

This monolithic device is closed either by an attached bottom, or by a deformation of the portion opposite the lid, to seal, roll or close by any known method the filling end.

The opening of the device is provided by the piercing of the cap when the stop comes into contact with the front surface of the neck of the bottle. By continuing the screwing, the protrusion exerts a mechanical force on the lid causing tearing of the rupture line and the tilting of the lid towards the interior volume of the body, which allows the flow of the contents.

This piece is also designed to be easily made in a simple plastic injection mold, not requiring drawers.

According to a first variant, said stop is located on the side diametrically opposite the middle of said breaking line.

According to a variant, the lid is extended at its lower part by a striker extending perpendicular to the surface of the lid.

Detailed description of non-limiting example of embodiment

• la figure 1 représente une vue en coupe d'un premier exemple de dispositif selon l'invention, ainsi que d'une partie d'une bouteille
• les figures 2A et 2B représentent des vues respectivement en coupe en détail et de dessus de l'opercule
• la figure 3 et la figure 4 représentent des vues en coupe d'un deuxième exemple de réalisation, respectivement en position intermédiaire de vissage et en position de vissage complet

• la figure 5 et la figure 6 représentent des vues en coupe d'un troisième exemple de réalisation, respectivement en position intermédiaire de vissage et en position de vissage complet
• la figure 7 et la figure 8 représentent des vues en coupe d'un quatrième exemple de réalisation, respectivement en position intermédiaire de vissage et en position de vissage complet
• les figures 9 et 9A représentent des vues respectivement en coupe et de dessous d'un ergot de perçage qui ne forme pas une partie de la présente invention.
• les figures 10 et 11 représentent respectivement une vue en coupe d'un bouchon doseur selon l'invention, et une vue en détail de la liaison du corps du doseur avec le fond.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, relating to nonlimiting examples of embodiment illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 represents a sectional view of a first example of a device according to the invention, as well as a portion of a bottle
• the Figures 2A and 2B represent views respectively in section in detail and from above of the operculum
• the figure 3 and the figure 4 represent sectional views of a second exemplary embodiment, respectively in intermediate screwing position and in full screwing position

• the figure 5 and the figure 6 show sectional views of a third exemplary embodiment, respectively in intermediate screwing position and in full screwing position.
• the figure 7 and the figure 8 show sectional views of a fourth embodiment, respectively in intermediate screwing position and in full screwing position
• the Figures 9 and 9A are views respectively in section and from below of a piercing pin which does not form a part of the present invention.
• the figures 10 and 11 respectively represent a sectional view of a dosing cap according to the invention, and a detailed view of the connection of the doser body with the bottom.

First example of realization

The figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment.

The metering device (1) is intended to be screwed onto the neck (2) of a bottle (3).

The neck (2) presents in a known manner, or even in a standardized manner, an external thread, in particular of standardized diameter "28" according to the standards commonly used, such as GMP, MCA, ALCOA, 1716, LEIGHT-WEIGHT. These arrangements can also be taken for different diameters, such as diameters of "32" "38" "40" or other, depending on the type of container.

The metering device (1) is manufactured by injection-molding a plastic material, preferably flexible, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The dispenser (1) is constituted by a cylindrical body (4) forming at its lower part a tubular skirt (5) having on its inner surface a thread (6) complementary to the thread (16) of the neck (2) of the bottle. In the example described, this thread of the neck (2) is provided on the outer surface of the neck.

The skirt (5) has on its outer surface streaks (10) facilitating the exercise of a torque.

This cylindrical body (4) is closed at its upper end by a bottom (7) clipped, welded, or glued.

At the other end, the cylindrical body (4) is closed by a sieve (8).

The height of this skirt (5) is, in the example described, configured to abut against the shoulder of the bottle or its neck, when the maximum screwing is reached. This solution limits the tightening stroke and prevent excessive depression of the neck in the body (4).

Between these two plugged ends, the cylindrical body (4) defines a useful volume (9) completely available to receive a liquid, pasty or powdery content.

The lid (8) has a central disc area (11) surrounded by an annular peripheral zone, a portion (13) is thinned to form a hinge. The thinned hinge portion (13) extends between the body (4) and the break line (12). This peripheral zone is not intended to tear, but to deform to move from a transverse initial position, to a conical position directed towards the bottom of the device, after tearing of the rupture line (12). It then forms a conical sealing lip fitting the upper part of the neck, up to its rim, without coming into contact with the thread.

The radius of this peripheral annular zone is slightly greater than the outer radius of the neck (2) of the bottle, and less than the inner radius of the cylindrical body (4). The cover has a breaking line (12) with a radius smaller than the radius of the hinge zone (13). The radius of the rupture zone (12) is preferably also equal to or less than the median radius of the neck of the vial. In any event, the front surface of the neck does not come to rest on the seal formed inside this rupture line (12), so as to preserve the tightness of the connection zone between the device and the neck of the bottle. This sealing is ensured by the folding of the peripheral zone forming a conical sealing lip.

The radius of the lid (8) is, at least partially, less than or equal to the median radius of the front surface of the neck (2) of the complementary bottle.

In the example described, the cover (8) has, at the hinge zone (13), a spout (14) extending below a segment of the break line (12), to avoid the tear at the point where the seal comes into contact first, during screwing, with the front surface of the neck (2) of the bottle. Before the face, this beak (14) has a tubular shape, perpendicular to the lid.

After screwing, this beak (14) is deformed taking a conical or annular shape, coming in circular support on the upper edge of the neck of the bottle.

Therefore, when the screwing continues, this arched beak (14) prevents tearing at this point, and creates a lever effect transmitting the forces in the opposite part of the lid. The tear then occurs along the break line (12) at a location diametrically opposed to the arcuate beak portion (14).

To improve this leverage, the lid has at this beak (14) an extra thickness (15) avoiding an elastic deformation of the central disc area (11) and ensuring a good transfer of forces.

• Le bouchon doseur (1) est engagé sur le col (2) de la bouteille (3). On procède alors de manière connue au vissage jusqu'à ce que la zone périphérique annulaire comprise entre la charnière (13) et la ligne de rupture (12) et entourant l'opercule (8), vienne en contact avec la surface frontale (16) du col (2) de la bouteille (3). Du fait de la forme hélicoïdale du filetage, ce contact débute en un point angulaire particulier, où se trouve le bec (14).

The operation is as follows:

• The measuring cap (1) is engaged on the neck (2) of the bottle (3). The screwing is then done in known manner until the annular peripheral zone between the hinge (13) and the rupture line (12) and surrounding the cover (8) comes into contact with the front surface (16) of the neck (2) of the bottle (3). Due to the helical shape of the thread, this contact starts at a particular angular point where the spout (14) is located.

According to a non-limiting variant, the presence of this spout (14) locally protecting the rupture line (12) has the consequence that the mechanical stress which is exerted perpendicular to the surface of the cap (8) forces the tilting of the central disc zone (11) of the cap, which transmits the forces, especially because of the reinforced zone (15), towards the diametrically opposite portion. These constraints then cause tearing of the rupture line substantially on the opposite side to the spout (14). By continuing the screwing, it increases the deformation of the cover (8) which quickly takes a significant angle relative to the transverse plane.

In this embodiment, the disc area (11) of the cover (8) is further extended at its lower surface by a striker (18) erect in a perpendicular direction at rest in the transverse plane. This striker perforates the aluminum seal (or other material) that can seal some bottles, to allow the flow of the contents of the dispenser to the container. The dispenser can thus be used without any manipulation of the bottle other than the engagement and screwing on the neck of the bottle.

The figure 2a describes in detail the hinge and sealing after screwing and tearing of the rupture zone.

The thinned portion (13) of the hinged annular peripheral zone has been pushed back from a transverse initial position to a conical position, bearing against the upper tubular surface of the neck (2). The spout (14) has also been deformed to bear against the rim (or the upper outer edge) of the neck (2), before the threading. These two parts (13 and 14) thus seal the connection between the metering device and the neck of the bottle.

The deformation of the annular zone is facilitated on the one hand by the thinned annular zone (13) but not tearable forming hinge, and its extension - possibly of greater thickness - located inside the rupture line.

The Figure 2B shows a view from below of the device.

Second example of realization

The figures 3 and 4 represents an alternative embodiment, wherein the body (4) of the dispenser (1) has in an eccentric zone a protruding index (20) whose lower end (21) comes into contact with the edge of the lid (8) when the screwing causes the front surface (16) of the neck of the bottle to come into contact with the spout (14) provided on the lower surface of the lid.

This index (20) helps to prevent the undesirable tearing of the break line (12) and to ensure the transmission of the mechanical forces to the opposite side of the seal, where the break must occur.

Third example of realization

The figures 4 and 5 represent another variant embodiment in which the cover (8) has an outgrowth extending to the peripheral lower surface of the cover, at a radial distance less than the radius of the break line (12) and the radius of the hinge (13). The distance radial of this protrusion (14) substantially corresponds to the median radius of the front surface (16) of the neck (2) of the bottle (3).

Fourth example of realization

The figures 7 and 8 represent another embodiment where the cover (8) has a plurality of excrescences (22, 23) distributed circumferentially. The first (22) of these protrusions which comes into contact with the front surface (16) of the neck of the bottle transmits the mechanical forces which cause the tear at the diametrically opposite rupture zone.

Detail of the growth

The Figures 9 and 9A are detailed views of the seal and more particularly the piercing pin constituted, in this example, by a piercing pin (22) having an arcuate shape extending over approximately 30 °, with a width substantially corresponding to the the thickness of the front surface (16) of the neck of the bottle and a corresponding height sensitive to the pitch of the thread. This variant does not form a part of the present invention.

Detail of the bottom of the body

The figures 10 and 11 respectively represent a sectional view of a measuring cap according to the invention, and a detailed view of the connection of the metering body with the bottom (25).

This bottom has a disc transverse portion (29) extended by a tubular skirt (28) whose outer diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of the tubular body (4). This skirt (28) has an annular shoulder (26) forcibly engage in an annular groove (27) provided on the inner surface of the body (4).

Claims (8)

1. A device consisting of a body (4) defining an effective interior volume (9) totally available for receiving a liquid or pulverulent or pasty composition intended to be transferred into a container having a threaded neck (2), with said device having a skirt (5) provided with a thread matching the thread of the neck (2) of said container, and a cap (8) connected to the inner wall of said body (4) by a peripheral zone having a generally annular shape and having a break-off line (12), with said cap (8) having a disc-shaped central area (11),
   with said device being characterized in that said disc-shaped central area (11) is surrounded by an annular peripheral zone, a thinned part of which forms a hinge, with said disc-shaped central area extending between the body (4) and the break-off line (12), in that, during the screwing of the skirt (5) onto the threaded neck (2), such annular peripheral zone bears on the upper surface (16) of the neck (2) of the container and causes the at least partial breaking of said break-off line (12), and in that the body (4) is cylindrical.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said annular peripheral zone has a nose (14) with an initial tubular shape, in the vicinity of the break-off line (12), and in that said annular peripheral zone and said nose (14) are deformed after screwing to form conical lips bearing against the surface of the container neck.
3. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said annular peripheral zone has a hinge zone (13), the mid radius of which is greater than R, with R corresponding to the inner radius of the container neck (2).
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that said annular zone configured to bear against the front surface of the container neck consists of at least one stop (22), the mid line of which has a radius R, where R may substantially match the mid radius of the threaded neck of a container.
5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that said stop is provided on the side diametrically opposite the middle of said break-off line (12).
6. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that said stop (22) is positioned in the middle of said break-off line (12).
7. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said break-off line (12) extends over an arc of circle of less than 360-A°, with A ranging from 5 to 180°.
8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part of the cap is extended by a spike (18) extending perpendicularly to the surface of the cap (8).

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