FR3032433A1 - DEVICE COMPRISING A FIRST COMPARTMENT TO BE MOUNTED ON A SECOND COMPARTMENT FOR MIXING THE CONTENT OF EACH COMPARTMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) comprising two parts respectively: - a reservoir (7) provided with a first compartment (3) whose bottom has a membrane (6) intended to be struck, and an outer skirt (9) presenting means connection (10) to a second compartment (4) independent of said device (1), - a firing cap (8) covering the tank (7), said firing cap being in the form of a cover (19) whose side wall is equipped with a tamper-evident tongue (20) and being provided with a striker (5) intended to strike the membrane (6) of the reservoir (7) after removal of the tamper-evident strip (20) then translation of the striker cover (8) on the reservoir (7), - sealing means (24) between the first compartment (3) and the striker cover (8), characterized in that the reservoir (7) further comprises sealing means (22) for sealing between said device (1) and the second compartment (4) and in that said device (1) further comprises means capable of ensuring its temporary attachment to the second compartment (4).

Description

1 DEVICE COMPRISING A FIRST COMPARTMENT INTENDED TO BE MOUNTED ON A SECOND COMPARTMENT FOR THE MIXING OF THE CONTENT OF EACH COMPARTMENT The invention relates to the field of devices for mixing two substances requiring to be stored separately. More specifically, the invention relates to a sealed device with a compartment for receiving a liquid or solid composition. This device is adapted to be made integral, in particular by screwing, and this temporarily to a second compartment, itself filled with a liquid or solid composition. At the moment of use, the contents of the first compartment, by a percussion system, empties into the second compartment, the assembly then being mixed. At the time of use, the first compartment is removed so as to make accessible the second compartment comprising the mixture.

The invention also relates to a bottle equipped with the device described above. The invention has many applications particularly in the medical field, but also the industrial field for example in the field of paints, but also the food, food, cosmetics, perfume or aroma mix. Document FR 2,294,937 describes a device for packaging two products to be mixed. This device is in the form of a bottle as a first compartment, which contains a first component. The free end of the bottle is closed by means of a stopper provided with a second compartment containing a second component. The plug comprises two separate parts respectively a section reducer constituting the second compartment and a cap covering said reducer. The reducer is mounted on the bottle so that its upper end rests on the rim of the neck of the container. The neck and the gearbox each have an external thread which cooperates with a corresponding internal thread, arranged on the inner wall of the cover (see Figure 2). Although the cap is removable, it is necessary to fill the two compartments before closing the assembly. The tightness between the reservoir and striker cover is radial, which can generate a loss of tightness in cases where the surface quality of the collars is insufficient or due to poor dimensional control.

In addition, this seal can be disturbed by the clamping between neck and tank, which leads to a possible loss of sealing.

EP 2 327 638 discloses a device for packaging two products to be mixed. This device is in the form of a bottle as a first compartment, which contains a first component. One end of the vial is closed by means of a stopper provided with a second compartment containing a second component. The other end is closed by means of a single capsule and is used to collect the two components once mixed. The plug comprises two separate parts respectively a section reducer provided with the second compartment and a cap covering said reducer. The hood is rotatably mounted on the gearbox. Such an arrangement requires filling the first compartment and then mounting the reducer on the bottle. Then fills the second compartment and then comes to position the cover on the gearbox by a translational movement. After removal of the tamper tape, the hood undergoes a second translational movement which causes the percussion of the membrane of the second compartment. The two components are then mixed by stirring and the mixture is withdrawn from the other end. To avoid any risk of the cap being detached from the bottle at the time of storage, that is to say when each of the compartments is filled, the reducer and the neck of the bottle each have complementary pads preventing the cap from being unlocked.

This device is therefore binding in that it prohibits any flexibility of use. In particular, it requires filling and closing the bottle on the same site. In addition, the cap can be adapted only to the specific bottle, provided at its free end with a sampling device.

The first problem to be solved by the invention is therefore to develop a device for mixing two substances which is flexible in use. Furthermore, the device described in the previous document, has a seal between the reducer and the bottle which is not optimal. Indeed, as shown in Figure 3 in particular, the outer face of the flared portion of the cap compartment is in direct and close contact with the inner face of the neck of the bottle. This contact is imperfect because of the unequal calibration of the neck from one bottle to another. It follows risks of flight. Furthermore, the tightening of the reducer on the neck also causes a deformation of the seal present between the reducer and the cap which then no longer fulfills its role optimally. Therefore, a second problem to be solved by the invention is that of developing a device for mixing two substances that is perfectly sealed.

To solve all these problems, the Applicant has developed a new system in which the compartments can be filled and stored separately and associated at any time by the end user. In addition, the device proposed by the Applicant has the advantage of being suitable for bottles available commercially or on specific bottles. In other words, the end user can obtain the device of the invention and the bottle in a perfectly independent manner. Finally, the device proposed by the invention ensures an optimal seal of the system before and after association with a bottle.

More specifically, the subject of the invention is a device comprising two parts respectively: a reservoir provided with a first compartment whose bottom has a membrane intended to be struck, and an outer skirt having means of connection to a second compartment independent of said device, - a firing cap covering the tank, said firing cap being in the form of a cap whose side wall is equipped with a tamper-evident tongue and being provided, preferably at its center, a firing pin intended to strike the diaphragm of the section tank after removal of the tamperproof strip and then translation of the firing cap onto the section tank, a sealing means between the first compartment and the firing cap. The invention is characterized in that the reservoir further comprises a sealing means for sealing between said device and the second compartment and in that said device further comprises means capable of ensuring its temporary attachment to the second compartment. In other words, the invention consists in having identified the problem of the obligatorily concomitant filling of the two compartments of a device for packaging two distinct products before closing said device. The proposed solution is to dissociate the two compartments to fill them separately and then associate them temporarily, the time of mixing the products. The temporary assembly of the device of the invention on the second compartment can be carried out in several ways. It may be for example a clipping of the reservoir, in particular of its skirt on the neck of the bottle acting as second compartment. Under these conditions, the neck has a lip that temporarily retains the device of the invention. The clipping / unclipping is done by a vertical translation movement of the reservoir assembly / striker cap on the neck of the bottle.

In a preferred embodiment, the temporary assembly is by rotation of the device of the invention on the neck of the second compartment. According to a first feature, to ensure rotation in one direction or the other of the device on the second compartment, the tank and the striker cap each have complementary drive means. In a first embodiment, the complementary drive means are in the form of vertical studs respectively arranged perpendicular to the inner vertical wall of the hood and the outer side wall of the skirt. Such an arrangement permits rotation of the device on the vial in one direction or the other, prior to removal of the tamper-evident strip. This may be useful in the event of an error filling the bottle, which can be seen before percussion. In a second embodiment; to ensure the rotation of the device on the second compartment in the closing direction, the complementary drive means are in the form of flexible and oriented lateral vertical fins, arranged on the inner vertical wall of the hood and oriented pads in opposite directions, arranged on the outer side wall of the skirt. Advantageously, these fins and pads are formed on only part of the height of the vertical vertical wall of the hood and the outer side wall of the skirt, preferably at their upper part. Under these conditions, before removal of the tamper tape, rotation is possible in the closing direction but not the opening. On the contrary, to ensure the rotation of the device on the second compartment in the opening direction, once the tamperproof strip removed, the complementary drive means are in the form of pins arranged at the periphery of the bottom the cover intended to cooperate with corresponding ribs arranged at the periphery of the upper outer surface of the tank.

The rotation of the device on the neck of the second compartment can be achieved by various means. This may be for example a bayonet system provided between the reservoir and the neck of the second compartment. In this case, the device of the invention is temporarily secured to the bottle by a vertical movement of translation and rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the means for connecting the skirt of the reservoir are in the form of a thread formed on the inner wall of the skirt. In this case, the temporary fastening is by simple screwing / unscrewing. To prevent the bonnet from rising when positioned on the tank before removal of the tongue, the skirt of the tank has on its outer face an upper horizontal lip 10, advantageously arranged near the lower edge of the tank. To prevent the recovery of the hood once positioned on the tank after removal of the tongue, the tank skirt has on its outer face a lower horizontal lip preventing the raising of the hood.

In both cases, and to avoid raising the cover, a corresponding lip is arranged on the inner face of the cap constituting the lower end thereof, once the tamperproof tab removed.

To prevent the bonnet from escaping at the time of the vertical translation of the cap on the reservoir, the skirt has a stop positioned on all or part of its lower end. According to another characteristic, the skirt of the tank is connected to the upper end of the first compartment by means of a flat and continuous ring. This crown defines a housing in which is inserted the neck of the second compartment. The dimensions of this housing are such that the outer face of the compartment in this area, is not in contact with the inner wall of the neck.

Also, to seal the tank with the second compartment, the crown is equipped on its underside with a seal, preferably a flat seal. Furthermore, to allow the percussion of the membrane, the first compartment is in the form of a tube of diameter dl, the tube having in its upper part a flare of diameter d2, on a height corresponding to the stroke of the firing pin.

3032433 6 To ensure the seal between the hood and the tank, the striker is in the form of a chimney of sufficient diameter to come to cooperate by sliding with the tube diameter dl, the chimney having on its outer surface a peripheral shoulder forming a bearing zone receiving a seal, preferably toric 5 intended to bear against the bottom of the flare by translational movement. The invention finally relates to a vial / device assembly as previously described. It is characterized in that the bottle has a neck and in that the device is intended to cooperate temporarily with the neck of the bottle.

The invention and the advantages thereof will be apparent from the following exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Figure 1 is a schematic sectional representation of the device of the invention assembled on a vial. Figure 2 is a section of the device of the invention. Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views of the reservoir forming part of the device of the invention. Figures 5 and 6 are schematic views of the firing cap forming part of the device of the invention. Figure 7 shows the various steps necessary for the use of the device of the invention when assembled to a bottle. In Figure 1, there is shown the device of the invention defined by the general reference (1) assembled to a bottle designated by the general reference (2). The device (1) comprises a first compartment (3) for receiving a first product while the bottle (2) constitutes a second compartment (4) for receiving a second product. In its general operation, the device (1) is provided with a firing pin (5) intended to tear, by a vertical translational movement, a membrane (6) allowing the first product to be discharged into the second compartment (4). ). In Figure 2, there is shown the device of the invention in section. This comprises two separate parts respectively a tank (7) and a striker cap (8) covering said tank. The tank (7) is provided as already said a first compartment (3), 35 whose bottom has a percutable membrane (6). The reservoir (7) further has a skirt (9) having means for connection to the neck (11) of the bottle (2). In this embodiment, the connection means are in the form of a thread (10). This thread (10) is intended to cooperate by screwing with a thread (13) corresponding, arranged on the outer wall of the neck (11) of the bottle (2). The skirt further has a stop (12) arranged over the entire periphery of its lower end. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the skirt (9) is provided on its outer wall with different elements. First, it has studs (15) vertical and oriented, 5 arranged regularly spaced over its entire periphery, and only on part of its height. In particular, their lower end rests on a first upper peripheral lip (16) arranged over the entire circumference of the skirt. As will be seen later, this first lip prevents the release of the cap relative to the tank before the tamper tab is torn off. The outer wall of the skirt (9) has a second lower horizontal lip (17), this time to prevent the hood from being disengaged from the tank after the tamper evident tab has been removed. According to another characteristic, the reservoir (9) has ribs (18) formed over the entire periphery of its upper end (14). The first compartment (3) has a generally tubular shape. As it appears in Figure 2, it has at its upper free end a flare (27) connecting the skirt (9) through a flat ring (23). The striker cover (8) is in turn represented more particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6. It is in the form of a cover (19) intended to cover the tank (7) described above. This cover has at its lower end a tamper-evident tab (20). On its inner wall, it is provided with a thread (29), marking the border with the tamper evident tab (20). The net (29) allows, in combination with the lips (16) and (17) of the tank to avoid the separation of the hood and the tank respectively, before and after removal of the tamper-evident tab. The cover (19) has in addition, on its inner face, flexible fins (28) oriented in the opposite direction relative to the orientation of the studs (15) with which they are intended to cooperate. fins and pads makes it possible to screw the device on the bottle but not to be able to unscrew it. As already said, the cover also has a striker (5) of tubular shape intended to strike the membrane (6) 30 of the reservoir. According to another characteristic, the bottom of the cover (21) has pins (26) arranged over the entire periphery, the pins being intended to cooperate with the ribs (18) corresponding to the reservoir. Finally, as shown in FIG. 2, the tank / cover 35 striker assembly comprises two separate seals. More specifically, the seal between the section tank and the bottle is obtained by means of a flat seal (22) applied to the ring (23) connecting the skirt of the tank to the first compartment. Furthermore, the seal between the firing cap (8) and the reservoir (7) is obtained by means of an O-ring (24) applied to a peripheral shoulder (25) arranged in line with the crown (23). . The main steps of using the device of the invention are summarized in Figure (7). First, it is necessary to condition the device of the invention. To do this, the first product is introduced into the first compartment (3) that the tank. The first compartment is then closed by means of the striker cover (8). To do this, the striker (5) is inserted through its free end into the first compartment (3) by a vertical translation movement until the thread (29) of the hood comes to grip under the upper lip (16). of the tank. The device of the invention can thus be stored durably by the conditioner. The presence of the O-ring (24) ensures its tightness.

This device can then be used by the conditioner itself or delivered to a third party for association with a second compartment. This second compartment is generally in the form of a bottle (2) provided with a neck (11) whose outer face is threaded (13). It is then sufficient for the user to screw the device consisting of the reservoir (7) and the cover (19) directly on the neck (11) of the bottle after it has been filled with the second substance. The screwing is made possible by the combination of the fins present on the lateral faces of the cap and the studs present on the skirt of the tank. Once associated, the sealing of the reservoir and the second compartment is ensured by the flat gasket (22). ). In the embodiment described, unscrewing is no longer possible, the oriented fins sliding on the pads. To mix the two substances (Figure 7d), then just remove the tamper-evident tab (Figure 7a). Once removed, the user presses on the hood (FIG. 7b, 7c), then under the effect of the vertical translation movement, the striker strikes the membrane. In this position, the net (29) comes to take under the lower lip (17). The product contained in the first compartment is then transferred to the second compartment. Once stirring and mixing of the products made (Figure 7d), it is then sufficient for the user to unscrew the device of the invention. This is made possible by the combination of the pins arranged at the bottom of the hood and the ribs arranged at the top of the tank (FIG. 7e).

The invention and the advantages thereof are well within the scope of the foregoing description. Note in particular the flexibility of use of the device of the invention as well as its tightness when associated with a bottle. 5 10 15 20

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (1) comprising two parts respectively: - a reservoir (7) provided with a first compartment (3) whose bottom has a membrane (6) intended to be struck, and an outer skirt (9) presenting means connection (10) to a second compartment (4) independent of said device (1), - a firing cap (8) covering the tank (7), said firing cap being in the form of a cover (19) whose side wall is equipped with a tamper-evident tongue (20) and being provided with a striker (5) intended to strike the membrane (6) of the reservoir (7) after removal of the tamper-evident strip (20) then translation of the striker cover (8) on the reservoir (7), - sealing means (24) between the first compartment (3) and the striker cover (8), characterized in that the reservoir (7) further comprises sealing means (22) for sealing between said device (1) and the second compartment (4) and in that said device (1) further comprises means capable of ensuring its temporary attachment to the second compartment (4). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir (7) and the striker cap (8) each have complementary drive means adapted to ensure rotation in one direction or the other of the device on the second compartment. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the complementary drive means are in the form of flexible and oriented lateral vertical fins, arranged on the inner vertical wall of the cover and opposite-oriented pads, arranged on the outer side wall of the skirt. 4. Device according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the complementary drive means adapted to ensure rotation of the device on the second compartment (4) in the direction of the opening are in the form of pins (26) arranged at the periphery of the bottom (21) of the cover (19) for cooperating with ribs (18) corresponding arranged at the periphery of the upper outer surface (14) of the reservoir (7). 3032433 11 5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the connecting means are in the form of a thread (10) formed on the inner wall of the skirt (9). 5 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skirt (9) further has on its outer surface two parallel horizontal lips, respectively an upper lip (16) preventing the raising of the cover (19) once positioned. on the reservoir (7) before removal of the tongue (20), a lower lip (17) preventing the raising of the cover (19) once positioned on the reservoir (7) after removal of the tongue (20). 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skirt (9) has a stop (12) positioned on all or part of its lower end. 15 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skirt (9) is connected to the upper end of the first compartment through a ring (23) flat and continuous. 20 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the ring (23) is equipped on its underside with a seal (22) for sealing the section tank (7) with the second compartment (4). 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first compartment (3) is in the form of a tube of diameter dl, the tube having in its upper part a flare (27) of diameter d2, on a height corresponding to the stroke of the striker (5). 11. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the striker (5) is in the form of a chimney of sufficient diameter to come to cooperate by sliding with the tube of diameter dl, the chimney having on its external surface a peripheral shoulder (25) forming a support zone receiving seal (24) for sealing against the bottom of the flare by translational movement. 35 12. Bottle / device assembly according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the bottle (2) has a neck (11) and in that the device (1) is intended to temporarily cooperate with the neck (11). ) of the bottle (2).