EP3744656B1 - 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 PDF

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Publication number
EP3744656B1
EP3744656B1 EP20176918.9A EP20176918A EP3744656B1 EP 3744656 B1 EP3744656 B1 EP 3744656B1 EP 20176918 A EP20176918 A EP 20176918A EP 3744656 B1 EP3744656 B1 EP 3744656B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cap
roof
capsule
container
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.)
Active
Application number
EP20176918.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3744656A1 (en
Inventor
Angela FROSIO
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.)
Montefarmaco Otc SpA
Original Assignee
Montefarmaco Otc SpA
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Publication date
Application filed by Montefarmaco Otc SpA filed Critical Montefarmaco Otc SpA
Publication of EP3744656A1 publication Critical patent/EP3744656A1/en
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Publication of EP3744656B1 publication Critical patent/EP3744656B1/en
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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
    • 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 according to the present invention comprises:
  • 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.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
EP20176918.9A 2019-05-31 2020-05-27 Dispensing cap for dispensing a substance in a container and vial provided with such dispensing cap Active EP3744656B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102019000007782A IT201900007782A1 (it) 2019-05-31 2019-05-31 Tappo erogatore di una sostanza in un contenitore e flacone dotato di tale tappo erogatore

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3744656A1 EP3744656A1 (en) 2020-12-02
EP3744656B1 true 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 (it)
CN (1) CN112009847A (it)
CA (1) CA3081464A1 (it)
ES (1) ES2912597T3 (it)
IT (1) IT201900007782A1 (it)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT202200006359A1 (it) * 2022-03-31 2023-10-01 Lac2Biome S R L Flacone

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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
CN103562801B (zh) * 2011-03-31 2016-12-21 株式会社理光 粉末材料容器和具有该粉末材料容器的图像形成设备及粉末材料补充方法
CA2838483A1 (en) * 2011-04-18 2012-10-26 Seong-Jae Lee Apparatus for receiving heterogeneous materials
US9682805B2 (en) * 2012-10-26 2017-06-20 Berry Plastics Corporation Closure for container
ITMO20130242A1 (it) * 2013-08-29 2015-03-01 Ativa Capsula di sicurezza per contenitori.
WO2015125123A1 (en) 2014-02-24 2015-08-27 Montefarmaco Otc S.P.A. Single-dose bottle and relative improved measuring cap
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
EP3279110B1 (en) 2016-08-04 2019-05-29 MONTEFARMACO OTC S.p.A. Cap for mixing a product with a main product contained in a vial, vial provided with such a cap and method for assembling the vial

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA3081464A1 (en) 2020-11-30
ES2912597T3 (es) 2022-05-26
EP3744656A1 (en) 2020-12-02
IT201900007782A1 (it) 2020-12-01
RU2020117458A (ru) 2021-11-29
CN112009847A (zh) 2020-12-01

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