EP3744656A1 - Dispensing cap for dispensing a substance in a container and vial provided with such dispensing cap - Google Patents
Dispensing cap for dispensing a substance in a container and vial provided with such dispensing cap Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3744656A1 EP3744656A1 EP20176918.9A EP20176918A EP3744656A1 EP 3744656 A1 EP3744656 A1 EP 3744656A1 EP 20176918 A EP20176918 A EP 20176918A EP 3744656 A1 EP3744656 A1 EP 3744656A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- roof
- container
- capsule
- substance
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000002427 irreversible effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035622 drinking Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000002425 internal capsule Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011259 mixed solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000144 pharmacologic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001225 therapeutic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B65D51/2814—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 the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it
- B65D51/2821—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 the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being a blister, a capsule or like sealed container
-
- 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
- B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
-
- 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
- B65D51/2814—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 the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it
- B65D51/2828—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 the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being a film or a foil
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a dispensing cap for dispensing a substance in a container and to a vial comprising such a dispensing cap.
- the present invention relates to a cap suitable for being fixed to the mouth of a container and shaped in such a way as to house inside therein a capsule for storing a first substance.
- the cap is configured in such a way as to deform under the action of a user for breaking the capsule and controlling the dispensing of the first substance into the container where a second substance is stored which, mixed with the first one, forms a desired solution.
- vials usually defined as single-dose, are currently known and greatly widespread on the market, consisting of a container storing a first substance and a cap, or closure, inside which a second substance is stored. This configuration allows the two substances to be kept separate until the user wishes to mix them.
- vials are widespread in many application fields which range from the purely pharmacological to the food and sports fields. In general, such vials are in fact usable whenever there is the need to have a pre-established mixture in a short time and to be able to keep the components making up such mixture separate for a long time.
- the need to mix the two components in a practical and fast way just before and at the place of use derives from the fact that the therapeutic properties of the mixed solution rapidly decline over time.
- the substance stored in the cap is in turn housed inside the capsule so as to be protected from external agents, such as for example humidity.
- the substance stored in the capsule placed inside the cap is of the soluble type, in the form of powder or tablet, while the substance stored in the container closed by the cap is usually liquid.
- the dispensing caps are therefore provided with a base portion, usually sleeve-shaped, for coupling with the neck of the container and an upper portion configured for realizing a seat for housing the capsule.
- the capsule which has a substantially dome shape, is blocked in such a way that the flat base thereof faces the mouth of the container, so that the breakage of the lower membrane causes the powder to enter by gravity into the container, while the dome is contained between the walls and the roof of the cap.
- the capsule is usually made of aluminum sheets with reinforcement layers of plastic material wherein the flat base of the capsule, the one placed on the mouth of the container, suitably has a lower thickness than the rest of the capsule for facilitating the breakage thereof.
- the capsule it is currently possible to make the capsule entirely of plastic material.
- the upper portion of the cap i.e. the portion placed beyond the neck of the container and which houses the capsule, in turn comprises side walls and a roof.
- the roof By acting manually on the roof, usually by pressing with one or both thumbs, the latter is lowered controlling the breaking of the capsule and the dispensing in the container of the substance contained therein.
- the capsule breakage mechanics can occur in various ways.
- One typology provides that the side walls of the cap or the roof itself possibly provided with a punch, break through the capsule piercing it from part to part.
- Another typology provides that the side walls penetrate inside the cap, not piercing the capsule but compressing it until causing the breaking thereof only inferiorly.
- Both such two solutions currently in use are not entirely optimal from a hygienic point of view. In fact, in both cases there is a sort of contamination from the outside towards the internal environment of the cap kept isolated until the cap itself is moved.
- the outer walls of the cap per se exposed to the external environment, come into direct contact with the substance to be dispensed, inevitably contaminating it.
- the contamination does not take place directly, i.e. with direct contact of exposed walls and substance to be dispensed, but indirectly since the walls, which penetrate in any case inside the cap, cause the breaking only of the lower part of the capsule, leaving the upper face intact.
- the Applicant further improved the cap described in WO2015125123 in order to facilitate the actuation thereof.
- analyses conducted on the force necessary for breaking the capsule for the dispensing highlighted two force peaks that are required of the user, wherein the first one, with higher absolute value, is that required for controlling the beginning of the folding step of the side walls; the second peak corresponds to the breaking step of the capsule where, obviously, once opened, no longer offering resistance, the powder comes out.
- the first force peak is necessary for yielding the side walls, which at rest have a substantially vertical curved continuous profile, at a point of union which joins the lower portion, connected to the base of the cap and substantially vertical, and the upper portion connected to the roof of the cap and slightly inclined or curved towards the roof.
- the side walls of the cap comprise a lower portion connected to the base and an upper portion connected to the roof wherein, even in the raised roof position, the lower portion of the side walls is inclined towards the outside of the cap and the upper portion of the side walls is inclined towards the inside of the cap.
- the upper and lower portions of the side walls which preferably has a reduced thickness with respect to the rest of the side walls, there is an angle ⁇ lower than 180° facing towards the inside of the cap.
- the force required for the first lowering steps of the cap is minimal, in particular lower than in the case wherein the lower portion is substantially vertical as in the prior art.
- the resistance offered to the lowering of the already inclined lower portion is much lower than the configuration wherein a vertical force acts on a component which is also vertical in order to fold it laterally.
- the force required for the first lowering steps of the cap is further lower as the upper portion is already inclined to fold over the lower portion outside the cap.
- the Applicant has now developed a further improvement in order to improve the dispensing step of the substance stored in the capsule in the container.
- the actuation of the cap requires the lowering of the roof which, due to the external folding of the side walls, moves from a raised position to a lowered position.
- the capsule In this last position the capsule is in such a state of compression that it breaks (in particular the lower base facing the mouth of the container) causing the first substance to fall into the container.
- the cap can internally be provided with a punch for crushing the dome portion of the capsule.
- the user must shake the vial to allow the correct mixing of the substance and to control the fall of any part of the first substance which, although the capsule has been opened, has remained trapped in the capsule.
- the user interrupts his/her action on the cap roof which, due to the elastic return of the side walls, tends to raise. While not returning to the initial position, such small raising of the cap leaves some portions of the capsule no longer in a collapsed condition and therefore some areas can be formed, for example folded parts of the dome of the capsule, wherein the substance is trapped.
- Such trapped substance does not penetrate the container even during the user's shaking action, making the final solution at least in part lacking of the first substance.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing cap for dispensing a substance in a container which, starting from the cap structure described in WO2015125123 and EP3279110 , better guarantees the complete dispensing of the first substance in the container.
- the present invention is applicable to a vial comprising:
- the cap comprises:
- the side walls are configured in such a way that during the lowering of the roof they do not penetrate inside the cap but fold outwards and laterally on themselves.
- the cap comprises a device (i.e. technical means) configured for blocking the roof in the lowered position.
- a device i.e. technical means
- the capsule remains in its maximum collapsed configuration so that potentially trapped parts of the first substance may not be formed.
- the technical means configured for blocking the roof in a lowered position comprise on one side hook-shaped elements projecting from the sleeve portion of the cap towards the roof and lip elements with radial extension (with respect to the axis of the cap) arranged radially at the roof.
- the hook-shaped elements and the lip elements are configured so that:
- Such coupling is therefore of the non-reversible snatch or hook type.
- the cap structure described in WO2015125123 and in EP3279110 i.e. the particular geometry of the star-section punch, i.e. with a section defined by a plurality of radial radiuses or spokes.
- the outer surface of the cap that of manual actuation of the cap, has been enlarged for facilitating the coupling with the user's thumb.
- the roof has an axial circular geometry with the axis of the circular base of the capsule wherein the radius of the roof is greater than that of the base of the capsule.
- reference numeral 1 indicates an embodiment example of a dispensing cap according to the present invention and reference numeral 10 indicates a vial comprising such dispensing cap.
- Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment example of a vial 1, for example of the disposable single-dose type, comprising:
- the capsule 5 is dome-shaped 15 with a flat base 16 and the cap 7 is configured for containing and protecting the dome 15 leaving the flat base 16 facing and in abutment on the mouth 3 of the container 2.
- the cap comprises a flange 17 which is inserted in a raised edge 18 of the capsule 5.
- the capsule 5 is made of materials suitable for the prolonged storage of the second substance 4 and the flat base 16 is configured, as is known, for breaking whereas the dome portion 15 is only subject to deformation.
- the cap 7 envelops the capsule 15 and keeps it in position with the base 16 facing the mouth 3 of the container 2.
- the cap 7 comprises a base portion 8 in the form of a sleeve for coupling to the neck of the container.
- such coupling is of the threaded type but can also be made in other ways, for example snatch.
- both the container 2 and the roof 9 have a circular section and shape for identifying the axis A passing through the relative center.
- Such roof 9 is substantially flat in shape or with a small depression for facilitating the user while using the vial.
- FIG. 3 schematically shows the configuration of lowered roof 9.
- the roof 9 is therefore movable under the manual action of a user between a raised rest position, wherein it is in contact without compression against the capsule 5 or slightly spaced as visible in Figure 2 , and a lowered working position wherein it progressively compresses the capsule 5 in a collapsed configuration.
- the side walls 10 are configured in such a way that during the compression of the roof 9 against the capsule 5, they do not penetrate inside the cap 7 and they reach a configuration folded laterally on themselves.
- the side walls are interspersed with each other by a series of openings or windows.
- windows make the type of internal capsule 5 visible, which can be of a different color depending on the case, or make the indication of an expiry date better accessible and recognizable.
- the side walls 10 of the cap 7 comprise a lower portion 11 connected to the base 8 and an upper portion 12 connected to the roof 9.
- Figure 4 shows an enlarged section of the cap 7 in the condition of raised rest position of the roof 9.
- the lower portion 11 of the side walls 10 is inclined towards the outside of the cap.
- the lower portion 11 of the side walls 10 is inclined externally upwards, i.e. towards the roof 9, so that the attachment point 14 to the base 8 is arranged in an innermost position of the cap 7 with respect to the attachment point 13 with the relative upper portion 12.
- the attachment point 14 to the base constitutes the lower hinge whereas the attachment point 13 to the upper portion 12 acts as the intermediate hinge.
- Figure 4 shows the angle ⁇ which the first portion 11 identifies with the vertical or parallel to the axis A.
- the intermediate hinge 13 is in an outermost position with respect to the lower hinge 14 and the upper hinge 20.
- Such configuration causes the side walls 10 to create a sort of bellows structure already partially folded even before starting to press on the roof 9 wherein therefore the lower 11 and upper 12 portions, or their ideal continuations, identify a lower angle ⁇ of 180° facing inside the cap 7.
- Such angle can be sharp-edged or provide a fitting.
- the cap is made by molding of plastic material, the walls 10 deformed in advance folding back on themselves, maintain a configuration already partially folded which greatly reduces the force necessary to then proceed with the actual use of the vial 1.
- Such preliminary compression not only brings the lower 11 and upper 12 portions already in a partially folded condition which facilitates the use of the vial, but also provides for carrying out a sort of yielding of the hinges 13, 14, 20 described above with consequent reduction of the effort required for performing the compression again.
- the point 13 which joins the lower 11 and upper 12 portions, or intermediate hinge, has a reduced thickness with respect to the rest of the wall 10 and a V-shaped groove facing the inside of the cap 7 to further facilitate the folding.
- the lower hinge 14, or attachment point of the lower portion 11 and of the base 8, and/or also the upper hinge 20, has a reduced section with respect to the side walls 10 which assist the folding.
- Figures 5 and 6 show a perspective view and a sectional view, respectively, of a cap according to the present invention, i.e. a cap as described above which furthermore comprises at least one device or technical means configured for blocking the roof in the lowered position of Figure 3 or for limiting the raising thereof upon release of the user's manual action at a predetermined height in the vicinity of the maximum lowering position.
- the device configured for blocking the roof in the lowered position comprises a plurality of hook elements 21 substantially axially projecting from the sleeve 18 towards the roof 9 of the cap 7.
- the cap 7 is provided with lip elements 22 having a substantially radial extension.
- the lip elements 22 exceed the hook elements 21 without any visible details of the geometry of the hooks themselves facing towards the capsule 5.
- the lip elements 22 remain blocked in the hook elements 21, thus avoiding the raising of the roof 9.
- Such coupling is therefore of the non-reversible snatch type.
- Figure 6 shows the axis A of the cap so as to highlight the dimensions in terms of radius of the roof 9.
- roof 9 is larger than the open base of the dome where the base 16 of the capsule 5 is placed.
- Such large radius offers a large gripping portion for the user's thumb.
- Figure 7 shows the particular shape of punch 19.
- punch is per se substantially cylindrical with a section comprising a plurality of lateral radiuses or spokes 23.
Abstract
Description
- This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No.
102019000007782 filed on May 31, 2019 - The present invention relates to a dispensing cap for dispensing a substance in a container and to a vial comprising such a dispensing cap. In particular, the present invention relates to a cap suitable for being fixed to the mouth of a container and shaped in such a way as to house inside therein a capsule for storing a first substance. Furthermore, the cap is configured in such a way as to deform under the action of a user for breaking the capsule and controlling the dispensing of the first substance into the container where a second substance is stored which, mixed with the first one, forms a desired solution.
- Different types of vials, usually defined as single-dose, are currently known and greatly widespread on the market, consisting of a container storing a first substance and a cap, or closure, inside which a second substance is stored. This configuration allows the two substances to be kept separate until the user wishes to mix them.
- These types of vials are widespread in many application fields which range from the purely pharmacological to the food and sports fields. In general, such vials are in fact usable whenever there is the need to have a pre-established mixture in a short time and to be able to keep the components making up such mixture separate for a long time.
- The need to mix the two components in a practical and fast way just before and at the place of use derives from the fact that the therapeutic properties of the mixed solution rapidly decline over time. Usually the substance stored in the cap is in turn housed inside the capsule so as to be protected from external agents, such as for example humidity. Generally, the substance stored in the capsule placed inside the cap is of the soluble type, in the form of powder or tablet, while the substance stored in the container closed by the cap is usually liquid.
- The dispensing caps are therefore provided with a base portion, usually sleeve-shaped, for coupling with the neck of the container and an upper portion configured for realizing a seat for housing the capsule. In particular, the capsule, which has a substantially dome shape, is blocked in such a way that the flat base thereof faces the mouth of the container, so that the breakage of the lower membrane causes the powder to enter by gravity into the container, while the dome is contained between the walls and the roof of the cap.
- The capsule is usually made of aluminum sheets with reinforcement layers of plastic material wherein the flat base of the capsule, the one placed on the mouth of the container, suitably has a lower thickness than the rest of the capsule for facilitating the breakage thereof. Alternatively, it is currently possible to make the capsule entirely of plastic material.
- The upper portion of the cap, i.e. the portion placed beyond the neck of the container and which houses the capsule, in turn comprises side walls and a roof. By acting manually on the roof, usually by pressing with one or both thumbs, the latter is lowered controlling the breaking of the capsule and the dispensing in the container of the substance contained therein.
- The capsule breakage mechanics can occur in various ways. One typology provides that the side walls of the cap or the roof itself possibly provided with a punch, break through the capsule piercing it from part to part. Another typology provides that the side walls penetrate inside the cap, not piercing the capsule but compressing it until causing the breaking thereof only inferiorly. Both such two solutions currently in use are not entirely optimal from a hygienic point of view. In fact, in both cases there is a sort of contamination from the outside towards the internal environment of the cap kept isolated until the cap itself is moved.
- Specifically, in the first embodiment described, the outer walls of the cap, per se exposed to the external environment, come into direct contact with the substance to be dispensed, inevitably contaminating it. In the second case, the contamination does not take place directly, i.e. with direct contact of exposed walls and substance to be dispensed, but indirectly since the walls, which penetrate in any case inside the cap, cause the breaking only of the lower part of the capsule, leaving the upper face intact. The Applicant analyzed such problem in the past and, as described in
WO2015125123 , has developed a new and inventive solution which provides for the presence of side walls of the cap which, starting from an extended configuration, are configured for folding back on themselves outside of the cap creating, with the cap compressed, a substantially flower-shaped configuration where each petal is nothing more than a side wall of the cap folded laterally towards the outside. - Subsequently, the Applicant further improved the cap described in
WO2015125123 in order to facilitate the actuation thereof. In fact, starting from the structure described inWO2015125123 , analyses conducted on the force necessary for breaking the capsule for the dispensing highlighted two force peaks that are required of the user, wherein the first one, with higher absolute value, is that required for controlling the beginning of the folding step of the side walls; the second peak corresponds to the breaking step of the capsule where, obviously, once opened, no longer offering resistance, the powder comes out. In particular, the first force peak is necessary for yielding the side walls, which at rest have a substantially vertical curved continuous profile, at a point of union which joins the lower portion, connected to the base of the cap and substantially vertical, and the upper portion connected to the roof of the cap and slightly inclined or curved towards the roof. The solution proposed by the Applicant for facilitating the actuation of the cap according toWO2015125123 is described inEP3279110 . - Therefore, according to
EP3279110 the side walls of the cap comprise a lower portion connected to the base and an upper portion connected to the roof wherein, even in the raised roof position, the lower portion of the side walls is inclined towards the outside of the cap and the upper portion of the side walls is inclined towards the inside of the cap. In this way, at the point of union of the upper and lower portions of the side walls, which preferably has a reduced thickness with respect to the rest of the side walls, there is an angle β lower than 180° facing towards the inside of the cap. - In this way, the force required for the first lowering steps of the cap is minimal, in particular lower than in the case wherein the lower portion is substantially vertical as in the prior art. In fact, the resistance offered to the lowering of the already inclined lower portion is much lower than the configuration wherein a vertical force acts on a component which is also vertical in order to fold it laterally. In other words, according to
EP3279110 , the force required for the first lowering steps of the cap is further lower as the upper portion is already inclined to fold over the lower portion outside the cap. - Starting from the solutions proposed in
WO2015125123 andEP3279110 , the Applicant has now developed a further improvement in order to improve the dispensing step of the substance stored in the capsule in the container. As described above, the actuation of the cap requires the lowering of the roof which, due to the external folding of the side walls, moves from a raised position to a lowered position. In this last position the capsule is in such a state of compression that it breaks (in particular the lower base facing the mouth of the container) causing the first substance to fall into the container. To generate such a break, the cap can internally be provided with a punch for crushing the dome portion of the capsule. Once the capsule has been broken, before drinking the final solution, the user must shake the vial to allow the correct mixing of the substance and to control the fall of any part of the first substance which, although the capsule has been opened, has remained trapped in the capsule. Usually in order to carry out such shaking of the vial, the user interrupts his/her action on the cap roof which, due to the elastic return of the side walls, tends to raise. While not returning to the initial position, such small raising of the cap leaves some portions of the capsule no longer in a collapsed condition and therefore some areas can be formed, for example folded parts of the dome of the capsule, wherein the substance is trapped. Such trapped substance does not penetrate the container even during the user's shaking action, making the final solution at least in part lacking of the first substance. - Starting from such prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing cap for dispensing a substance in a container which, starting from the cap structure described in
WO2015125123 andEP3279110 , better guarantees the complete dispensing of the first substance in the container. - In particular, the present invention is applicable to a vial comprising:
- a container for storing a first substance provided with a mouth;
- a breakable capsule for storing a second substance;
- a cap coupled to the container at the mouth and housing the capsule inside therein.
- In particular, the cap comprises:
- a base coupled to the container;
- a roof movable between a raised rest position, wherein the capsule is kept intact inside the cap, and a lowered position, wherein the opening of the capsule and the dispensing of the second substance into the first substance are generated, and
- side walls connecting the base and the roof.
- In particular, the side walls are configured in such a way that during the lowering of the roof they do not penetrate inside the cap but fold outwards and laterally on themselves.
- Starting from this structure, according to the main aspect of the present invention, the cap comprises a device (i.e. technical means) configured for blocking the roof in the lowered position. In this way advantageously also in the case in which the user releases his/her manual action on the cap, the capsule remains in its maximum collapsed configuration so that potentially trapped parts of the first substance may not be formed.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment which will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, the technical means configured for blocking the roof in a lowered position comprise on one side hook-shaped elements projecting from the sleeve portion of the cap towards the roof and lip elements with radial extension (with respect to the axis of the cap) arranged radially at the roof. In particular, the hook-shaped elements and the lip elements are configured so that:
- during the lowering of the roof, the lip elements exceed the hook elements;
- once the hook elements have been exceeded by the lip elements (i.e. when the roof has reached its lowered position), the lip elements remain blocked in the hook elements, thus avoiding the raising of the cap.
- Such coupling is therefore of the non-reversible snatch or hook type.
- Other improvements have been made by the Applicant to the cap structure described in
WO2015125123 and inEP3279110 , i.e. the particular geometry of the star-section punch, i.e. with a section defined by a plurality of radial radiuses or spokes. Furthermore, the outer surface of the cap, that of manual actuation of the cap, has been enlarged for facilitating the coupling with the user's thumb. In particular, the roof has an axial circular geometry with the axis of the circular base of the capsule wherein the radius of the roof is greater than that of the base of the capsule. - Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment example, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a vial according to the prior art before its use wherein the present invention can be implemented; -
Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the vial ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of the vial ofFigure 1 after its use; -
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the detail IV ofFigure 1 ; -
Figures 5-7 are a perspective view, a sectional view and a bottom view, respectively, of a cap according to the present invention. - In the figures, reference numeral 1 indicates an embodiment example of a dispensing cap according to the present invention and
reference numeral 10 indicates a vial comprising such dispensing cap.
Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment example of a vial 1, for example of the disposable single-dose type, comprising: - a container 2 in the form of a small bottle provided with a
mouth 3 inside which a first liquid substance 4 is stored; - a
frangible capsule 5 inside which asecond substance 6 is stored, soluble or mixable in the first 4, preferably thesecond substance 6 is in powder or in tablet form; - a
cap 7 coupled to the container 2 at themouth 3 and housing thecapsule 5 inside thereof. - As can be seen in
Figure 2 , thecapsule 5 is dome-shaped 15 with aflat base 16 and thecap 7 is configured for containing and protecting thedome 15 leaving theflat base 16 facing and in abutment on themouth 3 of the container 2. - In particular, as visible in the enlargement of
Figure 4 , at the abutment of theflat base 16 with themouth 3 of the container 2, the cap comprises aflange 17 which is inserted in a raisededge 18 of thecapsule 5. - The
capsule 5 is made of materials suitable for the prolonged storage of the second substance 4 and theflat base 16 is configured, as is known, for breaking whereas thedome portion 15 is only subject to deformation. - As described above, the
cap 7 envelops thecapsule 15 and keeps it in position with the base 16 facing themouth 3 of the container 2. In particular, thecap 7 comprises abase portion 8 in the form of a sleeve for coupling to the neck of the container. In the accompanying figures, such coupling is of the threaded type but can also be made in other ways, for example snatch. - From the sleeve or
base 8, a series ofside walls 10 of thecap 7 branch off towards the outside of the container 2, in particular upwards with respect to themouth 3, which flow into theroof 9 arranged above thecapsule 5 and aligned with themouth 3 of the container 2 along the relative vertical axis A. In fact, both the container 2 and theroof 9 have a circular section and shape for identifying the axis A passing through the relative center. -
Such roof 9 is substantially flat in shape or with a small depression for facilitating the user while using the vial. - As with known dispensing caps, during use the user must act on the
cap 9 by lowering it in such a way that apunch 19 arranged under theroof 9, or in the absence of apunch 19 thecap 7 itself, compress thecapsule 5 up to making thebase 16 thereof break and thus dispense thepowder 6 into the liquid 4 placed in the container.Figure 3 schematically shows the configuration of loweredroof 9. - The
roof 9 is therefore movable under the manual action of a user between a raised rest position, wherein it is in contact without compression against thecapsule 5 or slightly spaced as visible inFigure 2 , and a lowered working position wherein it progressively compresses thecapsule 5 in a collapsed configuration. - As visible in
Figure 3 , as is known, theside walls 10 are configured in such a way that during the compression of theroof 9 against thecapsule 5, they do not penetrate inside thecap 7 and they reach a configuration folded laterally on themselves. - As visible in
Figure 1 , the side walls are interspersed with each other by a series of openings or windows. Advantageously, such windows make the type ofinternal capsule 5 visible, which can be of a different color depending on the case, or make the indication of an expiry date better accessible and recognizable. - As visible in
Figure 2 and in detail inFigure 4 , theside walls 10 of thecap 7 comprise alower portion 11 connected to thebase 8 and anupper portion 12 connected to theroof 9. -
Figure 4 shows an enlarged section of thecap 7 in the condition of raised rest position of theroof 9. In such configuration, thelower portion 11 of theside walls 10 is inclined towards the outside of the cap. In other words, thelower portion 11 of theside walls 10 is inclined externally upwards, i.e. towards theroof 9, so that theattachment point 14 to thebase 8 is arranged in an innermost position of thecap 7 with respect to theattachment point 13 with the relativeupper portion 12. - Considering ideally the
upper portion 12 as a connecting rod, theattachment point 14 to the base constitutes the lower hinge whereas theattachment point 13 to theupper portion 12 acts as the intermediate hinge.Figure 4 shows the angle α which thefirst portion 11 identifies with the vertical or parallel to the axis A. - In a completely similar manner, even if with opposite inclination, also the
upper portion 12 of theside walls 10 is inclined towards the inside of thecap 7 until it connects to theroof 9 of thecap 7. Continuing the analogy described above, also theupper portion 12 creates a sort of connecting rod with theupper hinge 20 at theroof 9. - As visible in
Figure 4 , theintermediate hinge 13 is in an outermost position with respect to thelower hinge 14 and theupper hinge 20. Such configuration causes theside walls 10 to create a sort of bellows structure already partially folded even before starting to press on theroof 9 wherein therefore the lower 11 and upper 12 portions, or their ideal continuations, identify a lower angle β of 180° facing inside thecap 7. Such angle can be sharp-edged or provide a fitting. - The above described configuration of the particular inclinations of the upper 12 and lower 11 portions of the
side walls 10 is achieved due to the fact that a first compression of theroof 9, or at least a partial lowering of theroof 9, is carried out with thecap 7 not assembled on the container 2 and in the absence ofcapsule 5 starting from a configuration of upper 12 and lower 11 portions substantially vertical or in any case aligned in the absence of intermediate angles. - Since the cap is made by molding of plastic material, the
walls 10 deformed in advance folding back on themselves, maintain a configuration already partially folded which greatly reduces the force necessary to then proceed with the actual use of the vial 1. - Taking into account that such first preliminary lowering of the
roof 9 with thecap 7 removed is performed automatically during the final production steps of thecap 7, the end user receives acap 7 whose actuation is extremely facilitated. - Such preliminary compression not only brings the lower 11 and upper 12 portions already in a partially folded condition which facilitates the use of the vial, but also provides for carrying out a sort of yielding of the
hinges - In the example of
Figure 4 , thepoint 13 which joins the lower 11 and upper 12 portions, or intermediate hinge, has a reduced thickness with respect to the rest of thewall 10 and a V-shaped groove facing the inside of thecap 7 to further facilitate the folding. - Likewise, also the
lower hinge 14, or attachment point of thelower portion 11 and of thebase 8, and/or also theupper hinge 20, has a reduced section with respect to theside walls 10 which assist the folding. -
Figures 5 and 6 show a perspective view and a sectional view, respectively, of a cap according to the present invention, i.e. a cap as described above which furthermore comprises at least one device or technical means configured for blocking the roof in the lowered position ofFigure 3 or for limiting the raising thereof upon release of the user's manual action at a predetermined height in the vicinity of the maximum lowering position. - According to the example shown in these figures, the device configured for blocking the roof in the lowered position comprises a plurality of
hook elements 21 substantially axially projecting from thesleeve 18 towards theroof 9 of thecap 7. At the circumferential position of thehook elements 21, at theroof 9 thecap 7 is provided withlip elements 22 having a substantially radial extension. During the lowering of theroof 9, thelip elements 22 exceed thehook elements 21 without any visible details of the geometry of the hooks themselves facing towards thecapsule 5. However, once thehook elements 21 have been exceeded by the lip elements 22 (i.e. when the roof has reached its lowered position), thelip elements 22 remain blocked in thehook elements 21, thus avoiding the raising of theroof 9. Such coupling is therefore of the non-reversible snatch type.Figure 6 shows the axis A of the cap so as to highlight the dimensions in terms of radius of theroof 9. In fact,such roof 9 is larger than the open base of the dome where thebase 16 of thecapsule 5 is placed. Such large radius offers a large gripping portion for the user's thumb. - Finally,
Figure 7 shows the particular shape ofpunch 19. Such punch is per se substantially cylindrical with a section comprising a plurality of lateral radiuses orspokes 23. - Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (6)
- A dispensing cap (7) configured to be coupled to the mouth (3) of a container (2) storing a first substance (4) and for housing a capsule (5) storing a second substance (6); the cap (7) comprising:- a base (8) to be coupled to the container (2);- a roof (9) movable between a raised rest position and a lowered dispensing position- side walls (10) connecting the base (8) and the roof (9), configured so that during the lowering of the roof (9) they do not penetrate inside the cap (7) but are laterally folded on themselves;
characterized in that
the cap (7) moreover comprises at least a blocking device configured for blocking the roof (9) in the lowered position or for avoiding the raising of the roof (9) from the lowered position beyond a prefixed height. - Cap as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the blocking device configured for blocking the roof (9) in the lowered position or for avoiding the raising of the roof (9) from the lowered position beyond a prefixed height comprises shaped portions of the cap configured for realising an irreversible snatch coupling when the roof (9) is in the lowered position.
- Cap as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap (7) comprises a sleeve (8) for coupling to the container (2), the blocking device configured for blocking the roof (9) in the lowered position or for avoiding the raising of the roof (9) from the lowered position beyond a prefixed height comprising:- a plurality of hook elements (21) substantially axially projecting from the sleeve (8) towards the roof (9);- a plurality of lip elements (22) substantially radially projecting from the roof (9);wherein the hook elements (21) and the lip elements (22) are configured so that:- during the lowering of the roof (9) the lip elements (22) exceed the hook elements (21);- once the hook elements (21) have been exceeded by the lip elements (22), the lip elements (22) are blocked by the hook elements (21).
- Cap as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein with respect to the axis of the cap (7) the roof (9) has a radius higher than the contact point of the sleeve (8) with the side walls (10).
- Cap as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the roof (9) is inferiorly provided with a punch (19) extending axially towards the capsule (5), the punch (19) having a substantially cylindrical shape along the axis (A) of the cap and a cross-section comprising a plurality of radiuses (23).
- A vial (1) comprising:- a container (2) for storing a first substance (4) provided with a mouth (3);- a breakable capsule (5) for storing a second substance (6) ;- a cap (7) coupled to the mouth (3) of the container (2) and housing the capsule (5);
wherein the cap (7) is realised as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102019000007782A IT201900007782A1 (en) | 2019-05-31 | 2019-05-31 | DISPENSER CAP OF A SUBSTANCE IN A CONTAINER AND BOTTLE FITTED WITH THIS DISPENSER CAP |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3744656A1 true EP3744656A1 (en) | 2020-12-02 |
EP3744656B1 EP3744656B1 (en) | 2022-03-02 |
Family
ID=68072990
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20176918.9A Active EP3744656B1 (en) | 2019-05-31 | 2020-05-27 | Dispensing cap for dispensing a substance in a container and vial provided with such dispensing cap |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3744656B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN112009847A (en) |
CA (1) | CA3081464A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2912597T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT201900007782A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT202200006359A1 (en) * | 2022-03-31 | 2023-10-01 | Lac2Biome S R L | Bottle |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2015125123A1 (en) | 2014-02-24 | 2015-08-27 | Montefarmaco Otc S.P.A. | Single-dose bottle and relative improved measuring cap |
US20160090222A1 (en) * | 2011-04-18 | 2016-03-31 | Seong-Jae Lee | Apparatus for Receiving Heterogeneous Materials |
EP3279110A1 (en) | 2016-08-04 | 2018-02-07 | MONTEFARMACO OTC S.p.A. | Cap for mixing a product with a main product contained in a vial and vial provided with such a cap |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AUPO070596A0 (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 1996-07-18 | Gartner, Bradley Francis | Closure cap |
US7207466B2 (en) * | 2001-12-05 | 2007-04-24 | Masterchem Industries Llc | Spout |
US9207574B2 (en) * | 2011-03-31 | 2015-12-08 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Powder material container and image forming apparatus provided therewith, and powder material replenishing method |
WO2014066810A1 (en) * | 2012-10-26 | 2014-05-01 | Berry Plastics Corporation | Closure for container |
ITMO20130242A1 (en) * | 2013-08-29 | 2015-03-01 | Ativa | SECURITY CAP FOR CONTAINERS. |
AU2016210642A1 (en) * | 2015-08-07 | 2017-02-23 | SIU, Hay-Ping MR | Impurities or Materials Trapping Apparatus |
US9981773B2 (en) * | 2016-05-09 | 2018-05-29 | Markwins Beauty Products, Inc. | Stackable container having overhanging cap |
-
2019
- 2019-05-31 IT IT102019000007782A patent/IT201900007782A1/en unknown
-
2020
- 2020-05-27 ES ES20176918T patent/ES2912597T3/en active Active
- 2020-05-27 EP EP20176918.9A patent/EP3744656B1/en active Active
- 2020-05-27 CA CA3081464A patent/CA3081464A1/en active Pending
- 2020-06-01 CN CN202010484575.0A patent/CN112009847A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20160090222A1 (en) * | 2011-04-18 | 2016-03-31 | Seong-Jae Lee | Apparatus for Receiving Heterogeneous Materials |
WO2015125123A1 (en) | 2014-02-24 | 2015-08-27 | Montefarmaco Otc S.P.A. | Single-dose bottle and relative improved measuring cap |
EP3279110A1 (en) | 2016-08-04 | 2018-02-07 | MONTEFARMACO OTC S.p.A. | Cap for mixing a product with a main product contained in a vial and vial provided with such a cap |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT202200006359A1 (en) * | 2022-03-31 | 2023-10-01 | Lac2Biome S R L | Bottle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IT201900007782A1 (en) | 2020-12-01 |
EP3744656B1 (en) | 2022-03-02 |
RU2020117458A (en) | 2021-11-29 |
ES2912597T3 (en) | 2022-05-26 |
CA3081464A1 (en) | 2020-11-30 |
CN112009847A (en) | 2020-12-01 |
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