ES2321406T3 - OPTIONAL CAPSULE THAT CAN BE PUNCHED, PLUG AND CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH A CAPSULE OF THIS TYPE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The capsule (1) consists of a deformable membrane (2) with its base closed by a seal (3) to form an enclosed volume (V) for at least one substance (S) that is released when the seal is pierced by an integral rupturing component (4). After the seal has been pierced a mechanical pressure is applied to the membrane to expel the substance(s) from the capsule into a container that is fitted with a cap holding the capsule, enabling the substance(s) to be mixed with the container's contents.

Description

Capsule with an operculum that can be perforated, cap and container provided with a capsule of this type.

The present invention relates to a capsule intended to be mounted on a cap for a neck container or neck intended for distribution of liquids or products pasty, in particular for a bottle of mineral water as well as to the corresponding cap and container.

More precisely, the cap provided with a capsule according to the present invention is intended to contain in a tightly insulated compartment of the covered container of that way, a specific substance or composition intended to be mixed with the contents of said container just before the use or consumption of the latter.

The plug of the present invention especially It can be used to cover bottles of synthetic materials commonly called plastic materials (for example in PET) intended to contain all kinds of food liquids, more or less fluids, such as, for example, mineral water, juice fruits, dairy drinks, etc., but also sauces or condiments (ketchup, mustard, vinaigrette, etc.) or food liquids (wax for bodies, detergents, etc.).

They already know, in this particular area, a large number of caps that have compartments that contain a substance, especially food, intended to be added to the contents of the container which generally contains such a beverage as water or milk, for example for the preparation of beverages energy or bottles.

However, all current plugs they have a certain number of drawbacks annoying

A first type among known plugs it has a capsule or a tank sealed by a membrane or tab that can be detached and fixed on top of said stopper that equips the container. To add the substance contained in the container to said container, it is necessary unscrew the cap, remove the membrane or tongue that closes said container in order to create an opening for said substance, return the cap to pour said substance into said container and finally, screw the cap back on said container so that it can shake and mix the substance with the content of the latter. The use of a plug of this type requires therefore numerous uncomfortable stages, of which certain, such as  that which consists of inverting the cap to release the substance within that container, they can request a certain skill to avoid pouring the substance together with the latter.

Another type of cap has a capsule or deposit that releases a solid substance in the form of a compressed by means of a pressure exerted by the finger of the user on said capsule. Now this type of plug presents problems of tightness, taking into account that the Container contents should not come into contact accidentally with the substance enclosed in the capsule. These problems are resolved in this type of plug by the presence of an operculum of fixed tightness on the neck of the container. In a first variant embodiment of this cap, the user, to release the substance, first unscrew the cap to remove the operculum, then replace the cap on the container and release the capsule tablet by pressure on the latter. In a second variant, the user can remove the operculum, while the cap is fixed on the container. In both cases, numerous and annoying stages are again necessary to release the substance. In addition, another drawback lies in the fact that the operculum of the capsule that allows to release the substance does not work well when this substance is presented in the form of tablets or hard pills.

To limit the number of stages necessary to the release of the substance, a type of plug has been conceived in which the substance, in the form of a tablet or tablet hard, is between a top membrane that can be deform on which pressure is exerted to release said substance and a lower operculum that serves as an element of tightness The lower operculum is torn by the tablet when the user exerts a pressure on the upper membrane.

Since the rigidity of the operculum is a critical parameter to the extent that the latter must be at the weak enough time to allow easy release of the substance (preferably whatever its status) and high enough to allow said operculum resist the pressure that can be exerted on the latter by the container contents when compressed during the stages of container handling Indeed, when the stiffness of the opercle is too weak, breakage of it occurs during the handling stages and the substance is accidentally mixed with the contents of the container.

When the operculum is quite rigid, the pressure that must be exerted by the user or the consumer on the operculum to release the substance must be equally high, What can be a disadvantage for certain people. So ideal, this pressure transmitted to the operculum by means of the substance, should be identical, whatever the form and the constitution of the substance. Now, in the use of a substance in the form of a powder, for example, the effort exerted on the elastic membrane is transmitted so reduced to the operculum and not always enough to tear the latter in order to release the substance.

The main disadvantage of this type of plug is therefore it is limited to the use of low substances the form of tablets or hard pills alone are capable of transmitting sensibly integrally the effort exerted by the finger in the operculum. This type of cap therefore cannot be applied in the case of liquid substances or in the form of powder. In addition, operculum rupture is a function of the form of the substance, which excludes any ability to reproduce said break.

The document Patent abstracts of Japan Volume 2000 No. 11 of January 3, 2001 (JP 2000 217885 A published on August 8, 2000) describes a plug for a neck or neck container intended for the distribution of liquids essentially consisting of a seat intended to be fixed on said container and closing it by means of a capsule inserted tightly on said seat. The capsule it comprises a membrane that can be deformed covered by a rigid protective cap. Inside this capsule is find a breaking element of an operculum that separates it from the liquid content of the container and a solid substance (substance medical) intended to be dissolved in said liquid. Although the cap protects the capsule against any unexpected deformation, the latter has the same disadvantages as the others Known capsules

US 2002/0066680 A1 showing all features of the preamble of claim 1 discloses a sealed capsule essentially constituted by a membrane that can be deformed sealed at its base by a operculum that can be perforated so that it defines a tight volume intended to contain at least one substance that can be present in the form of a powder or grain. Said capsule it also comprises at least one intermediate piece between said membrane and said operculum having a means of breaking said membrane which can be active at the time of a deformation Enough of the latter. However, this means of breakage is made in the shape of a projecting element that rests simply over said operculum that can be drilled so that at the moment the user leans on the membrane that can deform the latter transmits the movement immediately to breakage element that transmits it in turn directly to the operculum which can easily lead to accidental breakage or involuntary of the latter.

The present invention contemplates alleviating less certain of the inconvenience of capsules and caps known capsule and is intended to provide a capsule and a plug that allows to make minimum risks of a break accidental of the operculum that allows the substance to be isolated from contents of the container to which it must be added and which allows a facilitated frank and reproducible breakage of said opercle by the user that is as independent as possible from the state or the physical constitution of said substance.

In effect, the tightness of the tight operculum ideally you should be able to do whatever the type of substance to be added to the contents of the container, in particularly in the case of partially filled capsules containing substances that do not always allow a sufficient part to be transmitted of the mechanical effort exerted by the user capable of breaking the sealing operculum.

This particularly may be the case with very fluid liquids, of very deformable or understandable solids such as fine powders, very fragile granules, and so on.

In addition, the cap according to the invention must be able to be used with little effort and few manipulations with just one consumer hand, the opening, preferably, should not lead the formation of separate pieces.

For this purpose, the present invention has for Object a sealed capsule according to claim 1.

It also aims at a plug according to the claim 13.

It also aims at a container of neck or neck intended for the distribution of liquids or pasty products, particularly mineral water, characterized in that It comprises a capsule according to the present invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, made by way of example and with reference to the drawings attachments in which figures 14-17 and 23-25 represent an embodiment of the capsule and cap according to the invention. The other figures represent informative ways of realization of the capsule and cap that are not covered by claims.

Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view side and section of an embodiment of the capsule no covered by the invention before use;

Figure 2 is a schematic view from below. of the capsule of figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic elevation view side and section of an embodiment of the capsule no covered by the invention before use;

Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view. according to A-A of the capsule of figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic elevation view side and section of an embodiment of the capsule no covered by the invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view. according to A-A of the capsule of figure 5;

Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view. according to B-B of the capsule of figure 6 in the state of use;

Figure 8 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the capsule not covered by the invention;

Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the capsule not covered by the invention before use;

Figure 10 is a schematic elevation view side and section of an embodiment of the capsule no covered by the invention before use;

Figure 11 is a schematic sectional view. according to A-A of the capsule of figure 10;

Figure 12 is a schematic sectional view. according to B-B of the capsule of figures 10 and 11;

Figure 13 is a schematic sectional view. of the capsule of figure 10 in a state of use;

Figure 14 is a schematic elevation view side and in section of an embodiment of the capsule according to the invention before use;

Figure 15 is a schematic sectional view. according to A-A of the capsule of figure 14;

Figure 16 is a schematic sectional view. according to B-B of the capsule of figures 14 and 15;

Figure 17 is a schematic sectional view. of the capsule of figure 14 in the used state;

Figure 18 is a side elevational view and in cutting of a closed cap provided with a capsule according to the embodiment of figure 1 before use;

Figure 19 is a view of the cap of Figure 18 mounted on a container, after the opening of the protective cap and capsule operculum rupture;

Figure 20 is a side elevational view and in cutting of a closed cap provided with a capsule according to the embodiment of figures 5 to 7;

Figure 21 is a view of the cap of Figure 18 mounted on a container, after the opening of the protective cap and capsule operculum rupture;

Figure 22 is a side elevation view and in cutting of the exploded view of a closed cap provided with a capsule according to an embodiment before assembly;

Figure 23 is a schematic representation in side elevation and partially exploded section of a plug in closed condition provided with a capsule manufactured according to a variant embodiment of the invention, before assembly;

Figure 24 is a representation of the view of figure 23, after assembly;

Figure 25 is a perspective view of the protective cap of figures 23 and 24;

Figure 26 is a schematic view in perspective of a particular embodiment of an element constituting the cap not covered by the invention;

Figure 27 is a sectional view according to A-A of the element of Figure 26;

Figure 28 is a top view of the element of figure 26 in

Figure 29 is a partial view on a larger scale in perspective of the central part of figure 26.

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Reference will now be made to Figure 1 which shows a schematic view in side elevation and in section of an embodiment of the capsule not covered by the invention.

In the described and represented embodiment, the waterproof capsule 1 essentially constituted by a membrane that it can deform 2 sealed at its base by an operculum 3 that can be drill so that it defines a tight volume V intended for contain at least one substance S between said membrane that is can deform 2 and said opercle 3 is characterized because it has at least one breakage means 4 integrated in said opercle 3 that can be pierced capable of tearing it apart for release of an effective amount of substance or substances S a continuation of a sufficient deformation of said membrane that can deform 2 due to an external mechanical stress exerted on the latter.

The incorporation within said bliss capsule 1 of the breaking means 4 allows to manufacture a capsule 1 mono piece ready to be mounted on the cap chosen to cover the desired container that does not need to provide an outer element additional for operculum rupture 3.

According to one embodiment particularly simple and economical, the breaking means 4 is manufactured with the form of a pre-cut 5 of opercle 3, that is by at least one point or one break line of preference for this one latest.

Advantageously, the pre-cut 5 It is manufactured in the form of a set of break lines preferably star-shaped, preferably centered on said opercle 3.

This ensures an opening by tearing of opercle 3 that is as easy and reproducible possible.

Another example of pre-cut 5 in cross shape has been represented for indicative purposes in the figure 2, but other geometric shapes can also agree.

The pre-cut 5 itself It can be manufactured by any procedure usually used, known for itself, especially by laser cutting, stamping, etc.

Preferably, the membrane that can be Warp 2 is made of PVC, an elastic material, which allows the user deforms it sufficiently, for example with a finger, to succeed in breaking opercle 3 and thus freeing the or substances S within the contents of the container R. The shape of the membrane that can be deformed 2 itself can be either globally of the bell type, of preference a bell whose vertex is flat, for example in disk shape, oval, etc., may be preferable.

According to another characteristic not represented, the deformable membrane 2 can comprise at least one preferred deformation means of the latter manufactured with the shape of a point, a line or a deformation surface preferential, for example, in the form of a reinforcement in the form of a groove portion of substantially semi-cylindrical section located on the flank of said membrane that can be deformed 2. This medium allows you to create a point, a line or a surface that initiate and facilitate deformation of the rest of the membrane that is can deform 2 to achieve the desired objective, that is a concentration of stresses that lead to deformation sufficiently marked of said membrane that can be deformed 2 that ensures a sufficient tear or breakage of the opercle 3 in order to allow the passage of the substance (s) contained in the watertight volume V and intended to be added to the contents of the container provided with the capsule 1.

In the preferred example contemplated, the thumb or the user's finger that rests on the membrane that can be deform 2 in the place where the medium or means of preferential deformation (which are located in a comfortable place of access for the consumer, for example at the level near the vertex), initiates a relatively easier deformation of the membrane than 2 can be deformed that spreads to the remaining surfaces, more rigid, dragging them into the deformation movement whose amplitude quickly becomes enough to drag a significant passage opening for the substance (s) in the opercle 3 that can be pierced.

In the case where the membrane that can be warp 2 is made of a flexible or elastic material, such such as a natural rubber, it is not excluded that said membrane return to its initial form when the pressure exerted by the user finger cease, thus retaining the original aesthetic appearance of the cap.

Of course, other materials that can be warping that they fulfill the same function may equally suit, although PVC is preferred, especially because of its properties physicochemical particularly adapted to employment described

It goes without saying that the subject (s) used to manufacture the capsule 1, the cap and more particularly of that or those used for the fabrication of deformable membrane 2 and operculum 3 they must be chemically and physically compatible with nature of the liquid or pasty content of the container R covered by that mode, respectively with the substance (s) contained in the watertight volume V delimited by said membrane that can be warp 2 and said operculum 3. Also, if the container R covered by The cap according to the invention is intended to contain a product liquid or pasty food, it should also ensure that the aforementioned materials are also of quality food and that the covered product marketed responds to applicable hygiene standards.

Thus, a single operation will be sufficient, after of the opening of the protective cap 19 (see for example Figures 18 and 19), to transfer the substance or substances S into from container R.

The opening operation of said hood of protection 19 can also be done with just one hand, by example, holding the container R in the palm and releasing said protective cap 19 for the thumb action of the same hand. Figure 19 illustrates a cap provided with a capsule of the type of that of Figure 1 when the protective cap 19 has been open, the membrane that can deform 2 sunk enough for the opercle 3 to tear, overturning then the substance or substances S within said container R.

For closing, the index returns the hood of protection 19 on the base piece 20 until the "click" of closing.

The constitution of the base piece 20 and the opening and closing means 33, 34 will be detailed later in this document.

According to another feature, capsule 1 it comprises at least one intermediate part 6 provided between said deformable membrane 2 and said opercle 3, said piece intermediate 6 presenting at least one breaking means 4 of said membrane that can be deformed 2 and can be activated at the moment of a sufficient deformation of the latter.

As depicted, for example in figures 3 and 4 said at least one intermediate piece 6 is manufactured with the shape of a ring 7 disposed between the membrane that can be warp 2, preferably noticeably bell-shaped and more preferably whose vertex is flattened and opercle 3 which seal said volume V, said ring 7 presenting, while breaking means 4, at least a surface part 8 delimited in said ring 7 so that it forms a valve articulated with respect to said ring 7, said valve being able to articulate towards opercle 3 in order to pierce it in the moment of a sufficient deformation of said membrane that can deform 2.

According to an embodiment present in the Figures 5 to 7, said at least one intermediate piece 6 is made in the shape of a ring 7 disposed between the membrane which can be deformed 2, preferably substantially in the form of bell and more preferably whose vertex is flattened and the opercle 3 sealing said volume V, said ring 7 presenting, as a means of rupture 4, various parts of surface 8, 8 ', preferably joined together by minus a break bridge 10 and delimited in said ring 7 of so that they form, for each surface part 8, 8 'a valve articulated in relation to said ring 7, each valve being suitable to articulate, after the breakage of the bridge (s) 10 that the unite, towards operculum 3 in order to pierce it at the time of a sufficient deformation of said membrane that can be deformed 2.

As you can see on figures 10, 11, 14, 15, 22, 23 and 24, the end of the breaking means 4 opposite the hinge 9 of the articulated valve formed or fixed to said means of breakage 4 on the intermediate part 6 is provided with a joint weak or 10 'bridge that does the breaking bridge task that fixes said means 4 as long as the cap is not used effectively. This bridge 10 'also imposes on the user, when he wishes tear opercle 3, apply pressure or force on the arched element 15 high enough that it is sufficient for breaking said bridge 10 'and that, at the same time and due to its strong intensity and its abrupt application, allow to perform a cleaner or frank fracture or cut of opercle 3, with relation to a progressive break by application of a force to as it grows, thus releasing all substance S contained in the capsule 1.

This is the case when the membrane that can be warp 2 has not been sufficiently deformed (sunk) to transmit the mechanical effort either by coming into contact with her same as to transmit the pressure through substance S to opercle 3 or on the surface of a support 14 as shown in figure 10 and described more in detail later in this document, and that the effort transmitted in that way is not enough to break this bridge 10 'or a bridge 10 that joins two parts of surfaces between them (see figures 6 and 9), comparatively weaker effort than that necessary to pierce opercle 3.

Advantageously, said ring 7 and said surface parts 8, 8 'are manufactured by injection of a synthetic material, preferably polyethylene, at the level or immediately near the bridge (s) 10, 10 'of breakage.

As can be seen in the embodiments of Figures 8 and 9, at least a part of the free contour of said surface parts 8, 8 'has one or more parts in live angle 11, of the type of teeth, which facilitate drilling of opercle 3.

This makes it possible, if necessary, to facilitate rupture of said opercle 3 that should be torn apart without help. The shape of the articulated valve or the breaking means 4 as well how the number of the latter is determined based on the tear resistance provided by opercle 3 which It is usually made in the form of an aluminum film virtually plasticized or similar.

By way of non-limiting example they have represented protruding teeth for breaking means 4 but other protruding and cutting geometries are equally possible, by example, in the form of protruding vertical tips on cantilever or at the thickness of said articulated valve directed towards opercle 3.

According to the embodiment variant illustrated in Figures 14 to 17, the breaking means 4 has at least one protruding element 12 substantially vertical directed towards the opercle 3 and that facilitates the perforation of the latter. This variant will be described in more detail later in this document.

As depicted on figures 10 to 13 the or the surface portions 8, 8 'of the breaking means 4 which they have a rigid element 13, prominent in the direction of the membrane that can be deformed 2 and that represents a surface of Useful global support 14 capable of transmitting a mechanical effort exterior exerted on said membrane that can be deformed 2 by part of the user that is sufficient to cause articulation of at least a part of surface 8, 8 'and a break of the opercle 3 releasing an effective amount of substance or substances S in the contents of the container R on which said capsule 1 is going to be mounted

In order to facilitate the transfer of energy necessary for rupture of operculum 3, capsule 1 preferably  It is characterized in that the rigid element 13 has a useful bearing surface 14 that engages, at least on one part, substantially to the shape of said membrane that can be warp 2, preferably the shape of the vertex or a part of the vertex of the latter.

Even more preferably, the element rigid 13 is made in the shape of a half cylinder part of vertical or substantially vertical semicircular section, the useful support surface 14 presenting itself then in the form of a rectangular or substantially rectangular band, according to which is represented in figures 10 to 13.

This configuration allows the user to deform the membrane that can deform 2 at a level that can range from a point near the seat 18 (and with respect to said surface of support 14) to a point near the apex of said membrane that can deform 2, the direction of the applied stress being at both noticeably vertical and more comfortable to exercise with a finger or For the consumer's thumb.

The capsule 1 according to the invention provides that the piece 6, provided between said membrane that can be deformed 2 and said opercle 3, is made in the shape of a ring 7 peripheral on which it rests locally, by means of a hinge part 9, an arcuate element 15 that engages sensibly and at least locally to the membrane shape which can be deformed 2 in its initial state and whose free end 16 it is made in the form of at least one projecting element 12 or pointed towards opercle 3, a support surface 14 useful being provided on said arcuate element 15 which is capable of transmitting an external mechanical effort exerted on said membrane that can be deformed 2 by the user which is enough to cause the inclination of the element (s) projections 12 of the end in order to obtain a breakage of the operculum 3 which releases an effective amount of substance or substances S in the container contents R.

This solution is illustrated in Figures 14 a 17.

Particularly advantageously, the useful support surface 14 provided on the arcuate element 15 presents on its inner face directed towards opercle 3, a vertical wall part 17 or substantially vertical equally directed towards opercle 3 whose auxiliary support surface 14 ' support for the transmission of the external mechanical stress exerted on said membrane that can be deformed 2 by the user to cause said operculum rupture 3.

According to another feature, ring 7 peripheral and the surface part (s) 8, 8 'or the part (s) hinge 9 or arched element 15 are made of one piece by injection of a synthetic material.

Finally, it can also be provided, if it is necessary to provide opercle 3 provided in capsules 1 different embodiments of the first variant (figures 1 and 2) in addition to at least one point or break line preferential, for example in the form of a pre-cut 5, this in order to still facilitate in combination with the breaking means 4 referred to above, the breaking of said opercle 3.

One or more grooves can also be provided where the thickness of opercle 3 has been voluntarily reduced such as by laser ablation or a similar procedure or the equivalent.

As regards the assembly of the different constituent parts of the capsule, a first solution consists of in doing so that the opercle 3 is fixed directly on the membrane that can be deformed 2, preferably at the level of its common circular periphery where said opercle 3 and said membrane that can be deformed 2 come into contact with each other.

This first possibility is exemplified in Figures 1, 18, 19 and 22. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 22, for example, arched element 15 and ring 7 they are made of a single piece in the form of a piece monoblock that can be freely inserted (without welding) into the hollow formed by the membrane that can be deformed 2 at the time of manufacturing the capsule 1. Opercle 3 is then directly welded on the peripheral part that corresponds to said deformable membrane 2, the arcuate element 15 being a prisoner among the latter without therefore being fixed. He manufacturing process of capsule 1 according to this form of realization is therefore advantageously simplified.

According to a second possibility, opercle 3 is fixed directly on the bottom face 6 'of the piece intermediate 6, in particular on the lower face 6 'of the periphery of the ring 7 forming said intermediate piece 6, which excludes therefore a direct contact between said opercle 3 and the deformable membrane 2 (see Figures 3 to 17, 20 and twenty-one).

In the embodiment illustrated in the Figure 17, for example, arched element 15 and ring 7 are equally manufactured in one piece in the form of a piece monobloc which is however fixed, for example, by welding on opercle 3, the membrane that can be deformed 2 while itself fixed or welded on a peripheral part that corresponds to said ring 7, the arcuate element 15 being then prisoner between these last two and being fixed.

Advantageously, opercle 3 is fixed by circular welding, circular thermo-contact or by any similar procedure on the membrane that can be deform 2 or the lower face 6 'of the intermediate piece 6.

The present invention also has as object a cap for a neck or neck container intended for the distribution of liquids or pasty products, in particular for a bottle of mineral water, characterized in that it is essentially constituted by a seat 18 intended to be fixed on said container R and closing said container R by means of a capsule 1 according to the invention inserted tightly on  said seat 18, the deformable membrane 2 of said capsule 1 being itself covered by a hood of rigid protection 19 resting on an annular base piece 20 inserted on said seat 18, the bottom base of said capsule 1 being formed by the operculum 3 that can be perforated, a watertight useful volume V filled with at least one substance S intended to be added to the contents of the container R before consumption being thus defined between the membrane that can be deformed 2 and said opercle 3 of said capsule 1, an effective amount of substance or substances S being released in the content of the container R at the time of rupture of operculum 3 due to a sufficient deformation of the membrane that can be deformed 2.

According to a variant of the embodiment of the invention, represented in figures 23 to 25, capsule 1 sealed according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one intermediate piece 6 provided between said membrane that 2 can be deformed and said opercle 3, said intermediate piece 6 said said at least one breaking means 4 of said membrane that can be deformed 2 that can be activated in the moment of sufficient deformation of the latter and because the intermediate piece 6 is made in the shape of a ring 7 peripheral on which it rests locally, by means of a part of hinge 9, an arcuate element 15 that engages sensibly and at least locally to the shape of the membrane that can be deform 2 in its initial state and whose free end 16 is manufactured in the form of at least one projecting element 12 or pointed towards operculum 3, a support surface 14 useful being provided on said arcuate element 15 which is capable of transmitting an external mechanical effort exerted on said membrane that can be deformed 2 by the user that is enough to cause the inclination of the element (s) projections 12 of the end in order to obtain a breakage of the operculum 3 releasing an effective amount of substance or substances S contained in said capsule 1.

Preferably, the membrane that can be warp 2 and the protective cap 19 may be manufactured both of an elastically deformable material, substantially low the shape of two hemispheres, the radius of the hemisphere of the protective cap 19 being slightly lower than that of the membrane hemisphere that can be deformed 2, said hemisphere of the protective cap 19 being provided with at least a 19 'meridian groove that extends beyond the base of said hemisphere on a part of its height. This form of embodiment of the protective cap 19 is particularly advantageous because the latter does not need to be molded into position opening, thus greatly reducing the size of the mold and its resistance is increased, which allows to reduce substantial the cost of manufacturing the protective cap 19. In addition, from the mechanical point of view, the fact of not molding the protective cap 19 in open position also allows preserve the integrity of the hinge 35 that can be weakened in the moment of a molding in open position.

Figure 23 depicts the hood of protection 19 and base piece 20 before mounting on the seat 18 in the cap and figure 24 represents the hood of protection 19 and seat 18 mounted. At the time of this assembly, the 19 'meridian encastes widen and some are separated of others for the assembly of said protection cap 19, of such so that its dimension is enlarged for closing on the seat 18, in collaboration with the opening and closing means 33 and 3. 4.

Non-limiting examples of plugs liable to be provided with a capsule 1 according to the invention they are represented in figures 18 to 25.

Advantageously and as can be seen by example in figures 18 and 19 a plug that can be used with a capsule according to the invention is characterized in that the seat 18 is made in the shape of a piece consisting of a cylindrical part 21 intended to be fixed on the neck or the neck G of the container R provided, at the level of its end upper, of a flat annular part 22 forming a protrusion 23 inner circular delimiting an opening 24 of said container R, opercle 3 resting or being fixed on the upper face 22 'of said flat annular part 22 rotated towards the capsule 1.

The seat 18 can be made of one piece molded, for example by injection, and preferably will be Made of plastic material.

The seat 18 allows to fix the cap on the container R and provide at the same time the basis for the deformable membrane 2 and base piece 20 of the rigid protective cap 19 covering said membrane which is can deform 2.

As seen especially on figures 18 a 22, a cap that can be used with a capsule according to the invention is still characterized in that the bottom face 22 '' of the flat annular part 22 has a vertical stirrup 25 in the form of an annular skirt intended to collaborate with the inner face of the container neck R and cylindrical part 21 facing the fixing said cap on the latter. Said vertical stirrup 25 is equally visible in figures 23 and 24 which represent a simplified version analogous to that of figures 18 to 22 as far as this part of the cap is concerned.

Advantageously, a plug that can be used with a capsule according to the invention (in the variant represented in Figures 18 to 22) is still characterized because the face upper 22 'of the flat annular part 22 is provided with a annular flange 26 at least slightly deformable forming, after mounting the capsule 1 in said cap, a throat annular 27 with said flat annular part 22 which imprisons the part peripheral capsule 1, at the level of operculum 3 and membrane that can be deformed 2, and if necessary, the intermediate piece 6.

In this way, it becomes possible to seal perfectly said membrane that can deform 2 and guarantee the  superior tightness of the watertight volume V. For this purpose, the flange annular 26 bends towards the flat annular part 22 of the seat 18 in the moment of assembly of said membrane that can be deformed 2. This sealing of the membrane that can be deformed 2 can be reinforce still by the flat annular part 22 of the base piece 20 at the time it is mounted on the seat 18 compressing the latter as explained later in this document.

Preferably, a plug that can be use with a capsule according to the invention is also characterized in that the cylindrical part 21 intended to be fixed on the neck or the neck G of the container R presents on its seems to circulate outer side means 28 intended to cooperate with complementary means 29 located on the base piece 20 of face to ensure the fixation of the base piece 20 on the seat 18.

These means can be any mechanical means. Classic adapted fixing.

By way of illustrative, non-limiting example, means 28 and complementary means 29 are realized, as schematically suggested in figures 18 to 22 by "female" elements such as notches or grooves that cooperate with the "male" elements, such as spikes or eyelashes, etc.

Equally advantageously, a plug that is can be used with a capsule according to the invention is characterized  because the base piece 20 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 30 intended to be fixed on the seat 18 and provided, at the level of its upper end, of a flat annular part 31 forming a internal circular flange 32 intended to rest, preferably compressing it, on the flange 26 that imprisons the part peripheral capsule 1, at the level of opercle 3 and the 2 deformable membrane and, if necessary, the part intermediate 6.

As explained earlier in this document, this measure makes it possible to reinforce the tightness advantageously upper between deformable membrane 2 and seat 18 of the cap.

Alternatively, the cylindrical sleeve 30 of the base piece 20 can be fixed directly, by any usual medium (welding, gluing, etc.) on the membrane to be can deform 2 of the capsule 1 that rests or is fixed to turn on the seat 18, possibly by means of opercle 3. Thus said cylindrical sleeve 30 can reach the mechanical stop when the protective cap 19 is mounted with the seat 18 and be set at the level of this stop or laterally at the level of the cylindrical periphery of said seat 18 (see Figure 24).

A cap that can be used with a capsule according to the invention can be fixed on the neck of the R container by any usual means. Preferably said cap is threaded on the neck of said container R.

In the latter case, it can be foreseen, as it represents in figures 18 to 24, that the cylindrical part 21 is made in the shape of a cylindrical sleeve provided with a inner thread 21 'intended to be screwed onto the thread outside of neck or neck G threaded from container R.

In this way, a plug that can be used with a capsule according to the present invention it can be mounted on any container provided with a normal thread.

According to another characteristic, the base piece 20 it has a first opening and closing means 33 intended for cooperate by interlocking by elastic deformation with a second corresponding means 34 located on the protective cap 19.

In general any device of the type male-female or similar can be adapted to the present cap to ensure a reliable and reliable closure easily unlock the protective cap 19.

According to a first variant, the base piece 20 it has a push button provided with a first hook intended for cooperate with a second corresponding hook located on the protective cap 19.

Thus, it is sufficient to rely, for example with the thumb support, on said push button so that the two Hooks above mentioned will disengage, which causes the opening of said protective cap 19 and access to the deformable membrane 2.

According to another variant, the base piece 20 It has a push button provided with a recess intended for cooperate with a corresponding pin located on the hood of protection 19.

In order to allow the joint of the hood of protection 19 at the time of opening and retention of the articulated part is advantageously provided that the hood of protection 19 is attached to the base piece 20 by so minus a hinge of the cap 35. This hinge 35 can be Made with different shapes. In figures 18 to 22, by example, said hinge 35 is made in the form of a simple element injected with synthetic material and that joins the base of the protective cap 19 to the base piece 20.

The hinge 35 illustrated in Figure 25 and which joins the protection cap 19 at the level of its vertex to the piece of base 20 is manufactured according to a particular shape that allows said cap be articulated or rotate at the vertex level of its constitutive hemisphere. This way of manufacturing the hood of protection 19 and hinge 35 allows the hood of protection 19 on the base piece 20 in order to "crush it" contradictory base piece 20. This crushing involving the separation of the 19 'meridian encastes and the interlocking of the opening and closing means 33 and 34, as shown in the Figure 25. Since the latter are embedded one within the another, the closed position of the protective cap 19 on the base piece 20 is stabilized.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the hood 19 is not permanently fixed to the base piece 20 but rather just rest on the latter (for example being embedded by elastic deformation) and that it is definitely removed in the time of use or consumption of the content of the container R. In fact, the protection cap 19 has for main vocation protect the membrane that can deform 2 of any involuntary external aggression, for example at the time of handling, storage and transport operations of R containers that could accidentally deform or damage it and break the tightness of volume V.

In a particularly simple embodiment and economical, the protection cap 19 is made of a single piece with base piece 20.

According to another feature, the lower end from seat 18 away from the neck or neck G outlet of the container R is provided with a safety ring 36.

This allows to ensure that the cap is never unscrewing the neck or neck of the vessel R.

In addition, the cap that can be used with a capsule according to the invention is still characterized in that It also includes at least one inviolability device for level of a medium that participates in blocking the hood of protection 19 in closed position.

Such a medium for example may be made in the shape of a ring or a circular band of film of a thermoplastic thermoforming material that engages and covers, before the first use, said blocking means of the protective cap. This band starts at the moment of the first use, for example, thanks to a medium that facilitates this survey such as a part previously cut (in stitches), a boot notch, a opening thread, etc. and therefore serves as an opening witness of the stopper in question.

According to another advantageous feature, the hood protection 19 and the deformable membrane 2 are made of one or translucent materials, preferably transparent.

Thus, it is possible for the user to verify the presence of substance S before use, for example the presence of a tablet such as a very precise medication that it must be dissolved in the contents of the container R before the ingestion. It also allows, in the case in which they are used transparent materials, control the nature of the substance S, for example by means of a color or shape code. Likewise you can imagine a substance S colored according to the nature of your taste that can be added to a beverage that does not present taste or relatively little taste before being modified, either reinforced or on the contrary, dim it until it is masked.

By way of non-limiting example, the substance S can be a powder, a pill or a colored syrup intended to be dissolved in mineral water, each color corresponding to a taste or other previously defined characteristic (yellow = lemon, red = apple, green = green lemon, orange = tangerine or orange, brown = chocolate, blue = menthol, black = tail).

Finally, the transparent realization allows also increase the aesthetic and playful appearance of the cap that It can be used with a capsule according to the invention.

More generally, the substance or substances S they can be any food substance or not (whatever its state: solid, liquid, gas, pasty, etc.) or mixture of substances that you may want to add to the contents of the container R, said content may also be any content nutritional or not, this equally regardless of its status physical.

Preferably, the substance or substances S are solids or liquids and the contents of the container R is a liquid more or less viscous, preferably water and even more preferably mineral water.

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Preferably, the substance or substances S and the Container contents R are of a food nature, that is Not toxic to man or animals.

Although the non-limiting example of this exposure has been given for a solid substance S and a content of the liquid R container, it goes without saying that an expert person in the art you will know how to adapt the latter to other cases not explicitly described in this document, providing for usage provisions as regards the nature of the materials used, the dimensions of the different pieces, etc.

The term "add" concerning said or such substances should also be understood to include the addition  pure and simple, that is, the simple fact of adding said or said S substances (for example insoluble) to the contents of the container R, but also its physical mixture (assisted or not) to form a stable mixture, a suspension, an emulsion, etc., its dissolution partial or complete in said content and its chemical mixture (involving one or several chemical reactions).

Advantageously, the substance or substances S they comprise at least one substance sensitive to the content of the container R with which capsule 1 is intended to collaborate and should not be added to the latter more than a little before or just before consumption

Non-limiting examples of a substance of this type S are the medical preparations in which the compound active is very fragile and must be prepared in its form administrable at the last minute, physically mixing or chemically unstable over time (substances not miscible, perishable items), etc.

Thus, according to another characteristic, the capsule 1 according to the invention is characterized in that the substance or substances S They comprise at least one medication.

According to another characteristic, the capsule 1 according to the invention is characterized in that the substance or substances S they comprise at least one drinkable cosmetic agent, for example a Collagen solution drinkable.

As discussed earlier in this document, the substance or substances S are preferably of nature food

Advantageously, the substance or substances S are chosen from the group consisting of: dyes, aromas, agents preservatives, sweeteners, thickening agents, stabilizers, alicaments, nutritional supplements or dietary or any composition obtained from at least two of these ingredients.

Alicament means all food considered as particularly beneficial for health (dairy products or from cereals, fibers, etc.).

Finally, capsule 1 according to the invention is still characterized because the substance or substances S comprise at least one solid substance, possibly reduced in the form of powder or granules.

As depicted in Figures 1 to 4, the capsule 1, really the cap provided with a capsule of this type 1, has a substantially rounded outer shape in the form of hemisphere, eventually slightly crushed.

Thanks to these ergonomic rounded shapes, handling of covered containers in this way (grab them with the hand, in transport, etc.), as well as its aesthetic appearance are reinforced and the risks of injuries, particularly with children, reduced.

According to a particularly interesting variant in particular for a capsule 1 according to the embodiment represented in figures 1 and 2 to which it is particularly well adapted, the inner circular projection 23 delimiting a opening 24 of said capped R container is provided on a part of its inner periphery of at least one shaped element of tooth 37, intended to facilitate the breakage of operculum 3 which is can drill at the time of a sufficient deformation of the deformable membrane 2 of capsule 1 (see figure 18).

Alternatively, it can be provided for this type of capsule 1 that the vertical stirrup 25 annular (from seat 18) is provided with a pair of parallel arms 38, 38 'extending in a plane parallel to the surface of opercle 3 and that are born on the inner periphery of said vertical stirrup 25 in points 39, 39 'diametrically opposed, said terms 38, 38' being preferably joined together by a pontoon 40 that passes through the center of the opening 24, said arms 38, 38 'each presenting of them, at the level of their extremes, at least one element projection in the form of a tip 41, 41 'or the like directed towards the surface of opercle 3 and intended to facilitate the breakage of said opercle 3 that can be drilled at the time of a sufficient deformation of the membrane that can be deformed 2 of the capsule 1.

This particular embodiment is represented in Figures 26-29 that have been simplified for clarity with relation to figures 18 to 21.

At a time of injection manufacturing of the piece in question, pontoon 40 may be used as a place of injection I of the plastic material (see figure 29).

At the time of a sufficient deformation of the membrane that can be deformed 2 with or without the help especially  of the substance or substances S contained in the volume watertight V of the capsule 1, the operculum 3 which is located above and at a sufficient safety distance from tips 41, 41 '(for avoid any accidental breakage) is pushed down on direction of the latter that cross it or cause the beginning of breakage according to a point or line of preferential breakage previously existing, so that an amount is released sufficient of substance or substances S in said container R.

Finally, the present invention still has by object a container R for neck or neck intended for distribution of liquids or pasty products, in particular water mineral, characterized in that it contains a capsule 1 according to the present invention

Advantageously, said container R is characterized in that said capsule 1 is mounted on a cap according to The present invention.

To pour or drink directly from the neck or from the neck G of the container R the mixture resulting from the mixture of the substance or substances S with the contents of the container R, it is enough to unscrew the cap completely allow said mixture to pass through the opening 24 of the container R. This embodiment is economical because no You need to add the piece again to pour the mixture. In addition, the cap can be threaded and unscrewed at will without altering the tightness of the container R, which also allows to preserve said mixture in the container R, guaranteeing protection with with respect to the outside, due to the fact that the membrane that can be Warping 2 is waterproof, even after deformation. An element such as a valve can also be provided seat level 18 to allow gas evacuation eventually formed at the time of mixing of substance S with the contents of the container R and that accumulate in the R container (for example CO2 for tablets effervescent) and thus avoid a risk of overpressure.

An inlet or a second plug may be also provided on the lateral surface of the container R to allow the distribution of said mixture. This entry or Second stopper can also have a means of degassing. This variant embodiment is more complicated to carry the practical and therefore more expensive. Also, you need to add again one piece, which entails a break in the symmetry of the container R and has the effect of complicating its storage and handling.

Claims (15)

1. Waterproof capsule (1) essentially consisting of a membrane that can be deformed (2) sealed at its base by an operculum (3) that can be perforated in a way that defines a tight volume (V) intended to contain at least one substance (S) between said deformable membrane (2) and said operculum (3), said capsule (1) having at least one rupture means (4) integrated in said operculum (3) that can be perforated capable of tear it for a release of an effective amount of substance or substances (S) following a sufficient deformation of said membrane that can be deformed (2) due to an external mechanical stress exerted on the latter and comprising at least one intermediate piece (6) provided between said deformable membrane (2) and said operculum (3), said intermediate piece (6) having said at least one breaking means (4) of said deformable membrane (2) which can be activated at the time of def sufficient orifice of the latter and because the intermediate piece (6) is made in the form of a peripheral ring (7) on which it is supported locally, by means of a hinge part (9), an arcuate element (15) that it fits substantially and at least locally to the shape of the membrane that can be deformed (2) in its initial state and whose free end (16) is made in the form of at least one projecting element (12) or directed pointed towards the operculum (3), a support surface (14) useful being provided on said arcuate element (15) that is capable of transmitting an external mechanical stress exerted on said membrane that can be deformed (2) by the user that is sufficient to cause the inclination of the projecting element (12) of the end in order to obtain a breakage of the operculum (3) releasing an effective amount of substance or substances (S) characterized in that the end of the breaking means (4) opposite to the hinge (9) or to the union of said breaking means (4) on the intermediate piece (6) it is provided with a weak joint or a bridge (10 ') which performs the task of breaking bridge that fixes said means (4) to the piece intermediate (6) while the capsule is not used effectively. 2. Capsule according to claim 1 characterized in that the useful support surface (14) provided on the arcuate element (15) has on its inner face directed towards the operculum (3), a vertical wall part (17) or substantially vertical equally directed towards the operculum (3) whose auxiliary support surface (14 ') helps the transmission of the external mechanical stress exerted on said membrane that can be deformed (2) by the user to cause said operculum rupture (3). 3. Capsule according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the peripheral ring (7) and the hinge part (9) or the arcuate element (15) are made in one piece, preferably by injection of a synthetic material. 4. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the operculum (3) is fixed directly on the membrane that can be deformed (2), preferably at the level of its common circular periphery where said operculum (3) and said membrane that is can deform (2) are in contact overlapping. 5. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the operculum (3) is fixed directly on the lower face (6 ') of the intermediate piece (6), in particular on the lower face (6') of the periphery of the ring (7) forming said intermediate piece (6). 6. Capsule according to any of claims 4 or 5 characterized in that the operculum (3) is fixed by circular welding, circular thermo-contact or by any similar procedure on the deformable membrane (2) or the lower face (6 ' ) of the intermediate piece (6). 7. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the substance or substances (S) comprise at least one substance sensitive to the contents of the container (R) with which the capsule (1) is intended to collaborate and must not be added to the latter only a little before or just before consumption. 8. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the substance or substances (S) comprise at least one medicament. 9. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the substance or substances (S) comprise at least one drinkable cosmetic agent. 10. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the substance or substances (S) are of a nutritional nature. 11. Capsule according to claim 10 characterized in that the substance or substances (S) are chosen from the group consisting of: dyes, aromas, preservatives, sweeteners, thickeners, stabilizers, alicaments, nutritional supplements or dietary or any composition obtained from at least two of these ingredients. 12. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the substance or substances (S) comprise at least one solid substance, possibly reduced in the form of powder or granules. 13. Cap for neck or neck container intended for the distribution of liquids or pasty products, in particular for a bottle of mineral water, characterized in that it consists essentially of a seat (18) intended to be fixed on said container (R) and closing said container (R) by means of a capsule (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12 added in a sealed manner on said seat (18), the deformable membrane (2) of said capsule (1) being itself covered by a rigid protective cap (19) resting on an annular base piece (20) added on said seat (18), the lower base of said capsule (1) being formed by the operculum (3) that a watertight useful volume (V) filled with at least one substance (S) intended to be added to the contents of the container (R) can be perforated before consumption, which is thus defined between the deformable membrane (2) and said opé circle (3) of said capsule (1), an effective amount of substance or substances (S) being released into the contents of the container (R) at the time of the breakage of the operculum (3) due to a sufficient deformation of the deformable membrane (2). 14. A neck or neck container intended for the distribution of liquids or pasty products, in particular mineral water, characterized in that it contains a capsule (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 15. A container according to claim 14 characterized in that said capsule (1) is mounted on a cap according to claim 13.