FR2856036A1 - Liquid product e.g. fruit juice, releasing device for e.g. medicines packing, has compartment arranged in traversing opening and connected to support in movable manner to perforate veil to release liquid product in package - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a support (110) delimiting a traversing opening (112) and tightly fixed on a wall (104) of a package (100). A compartment (130) stores a liquid or powdery product intended to be mixed with a liquid product (L) contained in the package. The compartment is arranged in the opening and connected to the support in a movable manner to perforate a veil (115) to release the product into the package. An independent claim is also included for a package comprising a liquid product.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for

  release of a liquid or pulverulent material in a sealed packaging intended to contain a liquid product, as well as a packaging comprising a packaging provided with this device.

  Many liquid food products, or more generally capable of being poured out, such as fruit juice, milk, etc., are currently sold in sealed packages, formed from a sterilized and / or sterilizable material. As an example of such packaging, mention may be made of a packaging called "TETRA BRIK" (registered trademark) which is formed from several laminated layers of different materials generally chosen from cardboard, plastic and aluminum, or else a bottle. formed from transparent plastic, in particular PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

  Furthermore, for certain food, medicinal, veterinary or similar preparations it is sometimes preferable, or even necessary, to mix shortly before ingestion, on the one hand a liquid product, and on the other hand a liquid or pulverulent material, quantity of this material being much lower than that of the liquid product. This is for example the case for so-called energy solutions intended for athletes, obtained by mixing a liquid water-based product with powdered vitamins. Indeed, the fact of mixing just before ingestion allows the vitamins to retain all their nutritional and organoleptic qualities.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a device which allows the user to easily cause the mixing of such a liquid or pulverulent material with a liquid product already contained in a sealed package.

  To this end, the invention relates to a device for releasing a liquid or pulverulent material in a sealed package intended to contain a liquid product, this device comprising a support which delimits a through orifice and which is adapted to be fixed so sealed on a wall of the packaging, a compartment for storing the liquid or pulverulent material intended to be mixed with the liquid product contained in the packaging, the compartment being movable relative to the support and arranged at least partially in the orifice passing through the support, a retaining veil for the liquid or pulverulent material in the compartment, and means for perforating the veil adapted to release the liquid or pulverulent material when the compartment is moved relative to the support.

  With the device according to the invention, the user has a compartment containing the liquid or pulverulent material to be mixed with the liquid product already contained in the packaging, which allows the release of this material during packaging, or just before this one. This compartment contains a predetermined quantity of material to be mixed, avoiding the user any weighing or corresponding measurement operation, as well as any operation intended to introduce the material to be mixed inside the packaging.

  According to other characteristics of this device, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination: - the compartment is movable relative to the support between a stable position for storing the liquid or pulverulent material, in which the compartment is arranged at the plumb of the non-perforated veil, and a stable position for releasing said material into the liquid product, in which the compartment extends through the perforated veil; - The compartment is connected to the support by a flexible lip adapted for both retaining the compartment 5 in its storage and release positions, and deforming when the compartment is moved from its storage position to its release position; - The compartment carries the means of perforating the veil; - The compartment has a perforated bottom and provided with means for perforating the veil; - the internal volume of the compartment is closed in a sealed manner by a removable tab; - The removable tongue forms a digital support zone 15 for manually moving the compartment relative to the support; - It further comprises a plug provided with an external skirt adapted to be fixed on the support so as to close the through orifice; - The plug and the compartment carry additional drive means, adapted to move the compartment relative to the support so as to perforate the web when the plug is first pressed against the support; - The drive means comprise, on the one hand, a thread formed on the outer face of the compartment and, on the other hand, a complementary tap formed on the inner face of the outer skirt of the plug, this thread and this tap being adapted to cooperate when the plug is released from the support for the first time; - The drive means comprise, on the one hand, a part of the plug disposed inside the outer skirt and, on the other hand, a wall of the compartment, said plug part being adapted to bear against said wall when the plug is fully engaged on the support for the first time; - The plug is immobilized on the support once the veil is perforated, the support being adapted to be removably connected to the packaging.

  A subject of the invention is also a package comprising a sealed package intended to contain a liquid product and a device, possibly resealable, for releasing a liquid or pulverulent material in the package, said device being as defined above and connected tightly to a wall of the package.

  This packaging proves to be particularly practical for the user: before the first application of the delivery device, the liquid product and the material to be mixed are contained in separate volumes; when the user wishes to mix these elements, he urges the device so as to release the material to be mixed into the liquid contained in the packaging, then he pours the mixed solution obtained. The release device can be manufactured independently of the packaging, the support of the device being adapted to be fixed later on the packaging.

  According to two advantageous characteristics of this packaging: the wall of the packaging comprises a part which is detachable at least partially from the rest of this wall, and the means of perforating the device are adapted to perforate both the veil of the device and the part 30 detachable from the packaging; - The packaging includes a neck on which the opening device is removably attached.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which: - Figure 1A is a perspective view of a first package according to the invention; - Figure 1B is a schematic sectional view of part of the packaging of Figure 1A, illustrating in detail a first embodiment of the release device according to the invention; - Figures 1C to 1E are views similar to Figure lB, respectively illustrating successive steps of biasing the release device; - Figures 2A to 2E illustrate a second embodiment of a release device according to the invention, Figures 2A, 2B and 2C to 2E being respectively similar to Figures 1A, 1B and 1C to 1E; and - Figures 3A to 3F illustrate a third embodiment of a release device according to the invention, Figures 3A, 3B and 3C to 3F being respectively similar to Figures 1A, 1B and 1C to 1E.

  In FIG. 1A is shown a package comprising an aseptic sealed package 100 intended to contain a liquid product denoted L, in particular food. The capacity of this packaging is, for example, 250 ml.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, this packaging is in known manner formed of a multilayer structure comprising at least one layer of cardboard 101 and a plastic film 102. It is provided with a resealable opening device 103 made of plastic material and adapted to be secured to the packaging 100 by any known technique, for example by gluing.

  In a portion 104 of the packaging 100 intended to form the upper wall of the packaging during its storage and use, the layer of cardboard 101 has a circular hole 105 of axis XX, tightly covered by the device 103 when the latter is secured to the packaging. The part 106 of the plastic film 5 102 disposed directly above the hole 105 is adapted to be pierced by the device 103 prior to the first use of the packaging, by partially detaching itself from the rest of the wall 104 to allow the product to flow. from inside the packaging, 10 via the device 103.

  This opening device 103 comprises: a support 110 formed of a tubular body 111 of axis XX internally delimiting a through orifice 112, and of a plate 113 extending transversely at one end of the body 111 and suitable for be secured to the wall 104 of the package 100; a plug 120 comprising a tubular skirt 121 of axis X-X, adapted to be fixed with removable material to the support 110 so as to allow the opening and closing of the packaging 100; and - a compartment 130 comprising a tubular body 131 of axis XX, housed partly in the through orifice 112 of the support 110 and adapted to store a powdery material denoted P. More specifically, the body 111 of the support 110 is provided, on its outer face, of a thread 114 substantially complementary to a tap 122 formed on the inner face of the skirt 121 of the plug 120, allowing the latter to be screwed and unscrewed relative to the support.

  The skirt 121 of the plug 120 is extended by a ring 123 forming a first use indicator. To this end, the ring 123 is for example connected to the skirt 121 by breakable bridges, the rupture of which is caused during the first unscrewing of the plug relative to the support 110.

  At its end facing the packaging 100, the support 110 is provided with a veil 115 in the form of a disc of axis XX, made of a breakable, frangible or easily tearable plastic material, for example at level of weakening of its thickness. The veil 115 extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis X-X by closing the through hole 112 of the support. The periphery of the web is secured to the plate 113, for example by welds 116.

  At its end facing the packaging 100, the body 131 of the compartment 130 forms an annular rim 132 adapted to, when the device 103 is in the configuration shown in FIG. 1B, be located just above, or even in contact without pressure on the veil 115. This same end of the body 131 is provided with a bottom 133 which extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX. This bottom 133 is perforated so as to allow the powder P to pass freely through it. The powder P stored in the compartment 130 is retained by the veil 115 against gravity and is located on either side of the bottom 133. The volume of powder contained in the compartment is for example around 1 ml.

  The bottom 133 is provided, on its face facing the packaging 100, with one or more teeth 134 adapted 25 to perforate both the web 115 and the part 106 of the plastic film 102 of the packaging.

  At its end opposite to the packaging 100, the compartment 130 is closed in a leaktight manner by a flexible tongue 135, for example by welds 136 on the end edge of the body 131.

  The compartment 130 is arranged with respect to the support to be moved from a storage position, represented in FIG. 1B, in which the compartment 130 is arranged directly above the web 115, towards a perforation position, represented on FIG. 1D, in which the web 115 and the film part 106 are perforated by the compartment. For this purpose, a flexible full lip 140 is provided connecting the internal face of the body 111 of the support 110 to the external face of the body 131 of the compartment 130. This lip forms a flexible hinge between the compartment and the support, stabilizing the compartment vis-à-vis the support either in its storage position or in its perforation position.

  The actuation of the device 103, with a view to opening the packaging 100, is as follows.

  Considering that the package 100 is filled with liquid L and that the device 103 is secured to the wall 104 of the package, as shown in FIG. 15B, the cap 120 is unscrewed from the support 110, as shown by the arrow F1 in Figure 1C.

  By application, on the compartment 130, of a manual effort directed towards the packaging 100 in the direction X-X, this compartment changes from its stable storage position in FIG. 1C to its stable release position in FIG. 1D. To this end, the flexible tongue 135 forms a zone 135A of digital support in the direction represented by the arrow F2. The displacement of the compartment causes the flexible lip 140 to be deformed between its two stable configurations of FIGS. 1C and 1D, as well as the successive perforations of the veil 115 and of the part 106 of the plastic film 102 disposed directly above the compartment.

  The powder P stored until then in compartment 130 is released inside the packaging 100 by flowing through the perforated bottom 133 and mixes with the liquid L. If necessary, the user shakes the packaging so as to homogenize the mixture obtained.

  The flexible tongue 135 is then released from the compartment 130, as shown in FIG. 1E. To this end, a folded part 135B of the tongue forms a finger grip zone facilitating the peeling of the tongue, as represented by the arrow F3, by causing the welds 136 to break.

  The contents of the packaging 100 can then be poured outside the packaging via the through orifice 112 of the support 110. The packaging 100 can then be closed by screwing the plug 120 on the support.

  The packaging according to the invention thus makes it possible to mix, preferably just before use, the liquid L initially contained in the packaging and the powder P initially contained in compartment 130. The fact of delaying the mixing of these elements makes it possible to preserve the organoleptic qualities of the powder to be mixed, these properties tending to disappear more or less quickly once the powder has been mixed. Furthermore, when the powder to be mixed must be kept under particularly rigorous storage conditions, in particular in terms of exposure to light and sealing, the materials used to constitute the various elements of the release device 103 of this powder are chosen accordingly.

  By way of example, the packaging described above is used to obtain an energy solution composed of water, initially contained in packaging 100, and powdered vitamins, initially contained in compartment 130.

  The release device 103 is advantageously assembled and filled with material to be mixed before being joined to the packaging 100. In this way, this device can be manufactured independently of the rest of the packaging, for example in a place other than that o the device will be secured to the wall 104. In fact, the internal volume of the support 110 is sealed by the screw cap 120 and the welded web 115.

  The opening device 103 is compatible with pre-existing packaging, making the costs of obtaining the packaging according to the invention particularly low.

  In FIGS. 2A to 2E is shown a second example of a package according to the invention, comprising a package 200 and a reclosable opening device 203 adapted to release powder in this package.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the packaging has a general shape different from that of the packaging 100, but has a similar structure. Its capacity is for example 500 ml. It comprises a layer of cardboard 201, a plastic film 202 and a wall 15 204, the layer of cardboard of which is perforated at 205 directly above a portion 206 of the plastic film, these elements being respectively analogous to elements 101, 102, 104, 105 and 106 of packaging 100.

  The device 203 is secured to the wall 204 in a similar manner to the device 103 with respect to the wall 104.

  In addition, the device 203 essentially comprises the same elements as the device 103, namely a support 210, a screw cap 220 and a compartment 230 for storing the powder P, as well as a flexible lip 240 25 connecting the compartment to the support. . These elements 210, 220 and 230 are respectively analogous to the support 110, to the plug 120 and to the compartment 130 of the device 103, so that the constituents of the elements 210, 220 and 230 bear reference numbers similar to the corresponding constituents of the elements 110 , 120 and 130, increased by 100. The powder capacity of compartment 230 is for example around 2 ml.

  In addition to its dimensions, the device 203 differs from the device 103 by the automatic drive of the compartment 230 during the first unscrewing of the plug 220 with respect to the support 210. For this purpose, in addition to the tap 222, the inner face of the skirt of the plug 220 is provided with a tap 224 with a pitch opposite to that of the tap 222 and 5 adapted to cooperate with a complementary thread 237 carried by the external face of the body 231 of the compartment 230.

  The actuation of the opening device 203 differs from that of the device 103 in that it does not require a digital support step on the compartment 130 to move the latter from its storage position to its release position. powder P. In fact, the unscrewing of the cap 220 causes, by cooperation of the tap 224 and the thread 237, the drive of the compartment 230 in a translational movement along the axis XX, directed towards the packaging 200, materialized by arrow F4 in FIG. 2C. The compartment 230 then perforates both the veil 215 and the part 206 of the plastic film 202. The perforated bottom 233 of the compartment allows the free flow of the powder in the packaging. During the displacement of the compartment 20 230, the lip 240 is deformed and, once the plug 220 is completely unscrewed, stably retains the compartment 230 in its release position, as shown in FIG. 2D.

  By peeling of its tongue 235, as indicated by the arrow F3 in FIG. 2E, the user allows the contents of the packaging to be subsequently poured out of the packaging.

  In a variant not shown in this second example of packaging according to the invention, the opening device 203 is fixed to the wall 204 by introducing at least part of this device from inside the packaging 200 while the latter n is not yet completely closed. This variant involves essentially dimensional adjustments and has the advantage of not requiring an inner film part to be detached, such as part 206, the web 215 of the device then being suitable for both hermetically closing one side of the support 210 and close the hole 205 defined in the wall 204.

  In FIGS. 3A to 3F is shown a third example of a package according to the invention, comprising a package 300 and a device for releasing a powder 303.

  The packaging 300 is in the form of a sealed plastic bottle containing a liquid L. The capacity of this bottle is for example around 500 ml. At its end, the bottle 300 forms an annular neck 304 of axis X-X, adapted to removably receive the device 303.

  This device 303 essentially comprises a support 310, a plug 320, a compartment 330 for storing a pulverulent material P and a flexible lip 340 connecting the compartment to the support. By way of example, the powder capacity of compartment 330 is approximately 5 ml.

  The support 310 comprises a tubular body 311 delimiting a through orifice 312 inside which is housed the compartment 330. More specifically, the body 311 comprises a first section 311A on which the plug 320 is attached by means of a thread 314 and an additional tap 322, carried respectively by this section and the plug. The body 311 also includes a second section 311B of larger diameter than the section 311A and adapted to be fixed in a removable manner on the neck 304 of the bottle 300, by means of a thread 307 and an additional tap 317, carried respectively by the outside face of the neck and the inside face of the section 311B. The sections 311A and 311B are connected to each other by forming an annular shoulder 313. On its inner face, this shoulder is provided, on the one hand, with a gasket 318 adapted to be welded to the neck 304 or to be pinched between the neck 304 and the support 310 when the latter is screwed onto the bottle 5 and, on the other hand, a veil 315 similar to the veil 115 for the device 103.

  On its outer face, the shoulder 313 is hollowed out of a cavity 319 for receiving an additional annular bead 325 projecting from the end edge of the plug 320. The plug 320 is, in this way, adapted to be immobilized on the support 310 when the bead 325 is engaged in the cavity 319.

  The compartment 330 is similar to the compartment 130 of the device 103 and comprises a tubular body 331, the end of which faces the bottle 300 is closed by an openwork bottom 333 equipped with teeth 334 for perforating the web 315. Unlike the compartment 130 for the device 103, the body 331 of the compartment 330 is closed at its opposite end by a rigid ceiling wall 338, the body 331 and this wall 338 being formed for example from a single piece of plastic.

  The outer skirt 321 of the plug 320 is lined with an inner skirt 326 of axis XX and adapted to come to bear on the ceiling 338 of the compartment 330. More specifically, the device 303 is arranged so that its compartment 330 passes from its storage configuration, shown in FIG. 3B, to its release position, shown in FIG. 3D, by application of a driving force on the ceiling 338 by the internal skirt 326 of the plug 320.

  The actuation of the device 303 is as follows: Initially, the device 303 is fixed to the bottle 300, that is to say that its support 310 is screwed onto the neck 304 of the bottle. This configuration is shown in Figure 3B. Advantageously, the entire device 303 is then surrounded by a plastic envelope 342 which forms for the user a visual witness to the non-use of the device.

  After removing this envelope, the user completely screws the plug 320 onto the support 310, by cooperation of the thread 314 and the tap 322. This screwing movement is indicated by the arrow F5 in FIG. 3C.

  The screwing of the plug causes the internal skirt 10 326 to press on the compartment 330, deforming the lip 340 and causing the perforation of the web 315. The pulverulent material P passes through the perforated bottom 333 and is released at the inside the bottle 300 to allow the powder and the liquid to be mixed L. The screwing of the cap 320 continues until the bead 325 comes into engagement with the cavity 319, as shown in FIG. 3D. The lip 340 then reaches a configuration for stabilizing the compartment with respect to the support.

  If necessary, the packaging is shaken to homogenize the mixture obtained.

  When the user wishes to pour the contents of the bottle through the neck 304, he unscrews the support 310, as shown by the arrow F6 in FIG. 3E. Advantageously, the free end portion of the section 311B of the support is extended by a control ring 344, with a function similar to the ring 123 for the plug 120 of the device 103. Once the support and thus the entire device 303 released from the neck 304, as shown in FIG. 3F, the user can pour the contents of the bottle.

  This third example of packaging makes it possible, like the second example described above, to automatically control the movement of the compartment from its stable storage position to its stable position for releasing the powder into the liquid initially contained in the packaging.

  It will be noted that the three examples of packaging 5 described above are capable of allowing the mixing of all kinds of liquid or pulverulent materials initially contained in compartment 130, 230 or 330, with a liquid product initially contained in packaging 100 , 200 or 300. In addition to the example of the energy solutions mentioned above, mention may be made of the application of the abovementioned conditionings to obtaining food solutions whose color or consistency changes just before consumption, medicinal solutions, cosmetics, or even veterinarians.

  Various arrangements and variants of the packaging described above can also be envisaged. By way of example, the position along the support and / or the compartment for the flexible lip 140, 240 or 340 is not limited to that shown in the figures, but may vary according to the dimensional characteristics of its elements, in particular depending on the capacity chosen for the compartment.

Claims (14)

  1. Device for releasing a liquid or pulverulent material in a sealed package intended to contain a liquid product, said device comprising a support (110; 210; 310) which delimits a through orifice (112; 212; 312) and which is adapted to be fixed in a sealed manner on a wall (104; 204; 304) of the packaging (100; 200; 300), a compartment (130; 230; 330) for storing the liquid or pulverulent material (P) intended to be mixed with the liquid product (L) contained in the packaging, said compartment being movable relative to the support (110; 210; 310) and disposed at least partially in the through hole (112; 212; 312) of the support, a veil (115, 215; 315) for retaining the liquid or pulverulent material (P) in the compartment (130; 230; 330), and means (134; 234; 334) for perforating the veil ( 115; 215; 315) adapted to release the liquid or pulverulent material (P) when the compartment is moved relative to support.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the compartment (130; 230; 330) is movable relative to the support (110; 210; 310) between a stable position for storing the liquid or pulverulent material (P) , in which the compartment is arranged directly above the non-perforated web (115; 215; 315), and a stable position for releasing said material in the liquid product (L), in which the compartment extends through the perforated veil.   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the compartment (130; 230; 330) is connected to the support (110; 210; 310) by a flexible lip (140; 240; 340) adapted to both retain the compartment in its storage and release positions, and deforming when the compartment is moved from its storage position to its release position.   4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compartment (130; 230; 330) carries the means (134 234; 334) for perforating the web (115; 215; 315).   5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the compartment (130; 230; 330) comprises a bottom (133; 233; 333) perforated and provided with means (134; 234 10 334) for perforating the web (115; 215; 315).   6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal volume of the compartment (130; 230) is sealingly closed by a removable tab (135; 235).   7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the removable tongue (135) forms a zone (135A) of digital support for manually moving the compartment (130) relative to the support (110).   8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a plug (120; 220; 320) provided with an external skirt (121; 221; 321) adapted to be fixed on the support (110; 210; 310) so as to close the through hole (112; 212; 312).   9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the plug (220; 320) and the compartment (230; 330) carry complementary drive means (224, 237; 326, 338), adapted to move the compartment by relative to the support (210; 310) so as to perforate the web (215; 315) when the plug is first pressed against the support.   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the drive means comprise, on the one hand, a thread (237) formed on the external face of the compartment (230) and, on the other hand, a complementary tap ( 224) formed on the internal face of the external skirt (221) of the plug (220), this thread (237) and this tap (224) being adapted to cooperate when the plug (220) is released from the support (210) for the first time.   11. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the drive means comprise, on the one hand, a part (326) of the plug (320) disposed inside the external skirt (321) and, on the other hand, a wall (338) of the compartment (330), said plug part (326) being adapted to bear against said wall (338) when the plug is fully engaged on the support (310) for the first time .   12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the plug (320) is immobilized on the support (310) once the web (315) is perforated, the support (310) being adapted to be removably connected to the packaging (300).   13. Packaging, comprising a sealed package 20 (100; 200; 300) intended to contain a liquid product (L) and a device (103; 203; 303), possibly resealable, for releasing a liquid or pulverulent material (P ) in the packaging, said device being in accordance with any one of the preceding claims and connected in leaktight manner to a wall (104; 204; 304) of the packaging.   14. Packaging according to claim 13, characterized in that the wall (104; 204) of the packaging (100; 200) comprises a part (106; 206) detachable at least partially from the rest of this wall, and that the perforation means (134; 234) of the device (103; 203) are adapted to perforate both the web (115; 215) of the device and the detachable part (106; 206) of the packaging.   (úOE) 9Jtltnql @ nO, p A: T; sodsTp sI elqTAoue uobeg qp eaxoddeL qse lanbgI xns (P0 ú); olnoE un qxiodmoD (oo00ú) Se iiq, nb soD uG esi; e2c úET uoTeDTpueAeAa I uoIes uemeuuogT! * PUO '1 9o099e