WO2011105915A2

WO2011105915A2 - Container lid

Info

Publication number: WO2011105915A2
Application number: PCT/PE2011/000003
Authority: WO
Inventors: César MUROYA UMESAKI
Original assignee: Muroya Umesaki Cesar
Priority date: 2010-02-24
Filing date: 2011-02-22
Publication date: 2011-09-01
Also published as: WO2011105915A3

Abstract

The container lid relates to the production of a lid that, in addition to fulfilling its normal function, that is to protect the product in the container from the environment, provides its users with the solution to a problem of great importance. Many products on the market are supplemented with substances that deteriorate and lose their efficiency as a result of various factors affecting said combination. For example: the vitamins provided in milk or in yoghurt that we consume deteriorate as a result of humidity in the milk itself, and also as a result of the contact with the minerals that supplement the milk. In this way, it is almost certain that, when consuming the milk that we buy, the true amount of vitamins and minerals indicated on the labels does not really reach our organism. As with milk or yoghurt, there are medicaments that must be combined only before use and many other products that lose their efficiency if they are combined before being consumed. The container lid provides the solution to this problem, keeping at least one supplementary substance hermetically isolated in the actual structure thereof (inside the lid), and enabling said supplements to be combined only as the lid is opened to begin consuming the product, thereby eliminating said problems of potential deterioration of the efficiency or premature reactions of the supplements to the products, triggered by the contact between them or with the contained product. Due to the benefits of the use of the container lid to the products, due to the ease of use of the lid, and to the simplicity of its system, that enables it to be mass-produced at low cost, and due to its developed design that enables it to be used without any problem in production lines for mass consumption products, the use of the lid according to the invention should be generalised.

Description

CONTAINER COVER

1. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present utility model refers to the manufacture of a lid for packaging that allows, in addition to avoiding contact between the packaged product and the outside, to keep substances in its structure in an isolated and preserved way, substances that will be released in the moments before the consumption of the main product, keeping in this way the characteristics of these substances and minimizing the effects of the degradation of their properties due to the contact between them and other external conditions such as; humidity, light, heat, etc. 2. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION

The lids of containers, are accessories of necessary and very common use, that until now have fulfilled a basic objective. Protect the packaged content from the negative effects caused by the outside environment.

To date, I repeat, the lids of these packages have been limited to this purpose of content protection and are not used for other specific purposes.

With respect to this utility model entitled "container lid", there is currently no lid that meets the characteristics of the "container lid" and that gives this, substantive advantageous features with respect to conventional packaging lids , such as the following: * Contain one or more substances isolated from the main contents of the package to be combined with each other and with the product packaged at the time prior to the start of consumption.

^* A cover whose release system for isolated substances is similar or similar to that of the container cover. * A cover whose components or parts, allow to be manufactured basically through a single matrix, facilitating in this way, the process of assembly, production and mass production. 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The problem that is to be solved with the "container cover" is very easy to understand when looking at everyday examples. For example, when we have to use some medicines that we obtain from two separate bottles and that we necessarily have to combine their contents before consumption.

However, there are even more eloquent examples. As is the case with vitamins and minerals that many products offer in their products as additional to the main content:

Vitamins, are substances of very easy degradation, that is, they lose their effectiveness easily by the action of moisture, heat, light and by the same contact with minerals that also usually accompany the product.

Recently, there was a controversy or complaint from consumers, whose argument was that dairy companies did not meet the levels of vitamins offered in their packaging. The real problem was not that the companies did not add the amounts of vitamins indicated in their packages, but because of the effects of moisture (packed milk or yogurt are liquids) and the contact between these minerals and vitamins that are added additionally, these Ultimate (vitamins) degraded over time and their values were much less or null, at the time of consumption by the client. Some dairy companies, faced with this reality, chose to add double or triple vitamins to the product as indicated by their labels (logically causing an increase in the production costs of the product), to try to compensate in this way for the existing degradation and meet the levels of vitamins and minerals that were specified and offered on their labels. However, this solution was not the most suitable for this problem, because in these cases, since the degradation of vitamins is also time-dependent (the longer the vitamins pass in moisture and in contact with minerals, the more vitamins will be degraded) and when these products are packaged generally, in long-life packaging, the consumer can hardly obtain the appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals that are recommended. That is, in other words, if the product is consumed very close to the date of manufacture, it would be taking double or triple the Recommended vitamins, and if on the contrary, the product is consumed long after manufacture and depending on the conservation context, it could be taking much less than the recommended levels and specified on its labels. In both cases, the final affected is the consumer of the product. As can be seen from the examples raised so far, it is logical to deduce that this problem can occur not only in dairy substances or medicines, but in many other products and in many productive sectors, because as we know, many substances react and degrade gradually for various reasons when combined prematurely. The only way to maximize their efficiency in these cases, will be to keep them separate (these substances) until the moment of consumption, that is, only allow the combination between these substances and with the product packaged before consumption.

The "Container Lid" solves this problem in an easy, economical and effective way, by having a system that keeps one or more liquid and / or solid substances isolated, and also isolated, from the main packaged product. Its simple, effective and easy-to-use system allows the combination of isolated substances with the main product only in the moment prior to consumption, thus minimizing the negative effects of this combination (for example: degradation). Its structure also fulfills the primary function of any packaging lid, which is to protect the product from the surrounding environment.

The "Container lid" also has been developed to be manufactured at the lowest possible cost, does not need intermediate assembly, as its main parts make up a single piece (a single matrix) and these parts or components are distributed in such a way that allows be used in a production line, since this container cover, mainly would be used for the manufacture of mass consumption products.

The container cover allows one or more substances isolated from one another to be housed within its own structure, avoiding degradation of the substances by contact between them. Additionally, these substances remain isolated of the packaged product avoiding any degradation or reaction by premature combinations.

The container cover allows the user to easily combine the substances with the packaged product at the time prior to consumption, since the release of the substances and the union of these with the packaged product is only done at the moment when the user opens the lid . In addition, this form of release does not need prior use information, since the users open the lid of their containers and shake their contents to achieve a homogeneous combination of the product. The design of the container cover is simple, in such a way, that it allows its structural manufacturing in a single injection matrix, which allows its mass manufacturing at low cost. This design also allows you to use the various inviolability systems of the lid created, such as; the screwing belt (it breaks when unscrewing the covers, such as the soda caps) and the opening safety belt (as used by the plastic oil bottles).

5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of the parts and operation of the "container lid" we will make this description by making a parallel with a product such as milk and substances to be combined as vitamins and minerals that we want to add to the product. Without meaning this, that the "container lid" is a product of exclusive use for this type of dairy products.

In Figure 1, we can see the ease of use of the "Container Cap". In the initial position (A), the lid meets the objectives of avoiding product contact (eg milk) with the environment and keeping substances to be combined (vitamins and minerals for example) in isolation and Airtight inside the lid.

In this same graphic 1, figure (B), when opening or lifting the lid of the product (milk for example), the isolated substances are automatically released in the lid (vitamins and minerals for example) and fall into the packaged product ( in milk for example) for combination. When the lid is opened, it will be necessary for it to open only to an angle that ensures that the isolated substances in the container fall into the container (vitamins and minerals for example), this can be achieved by making the opening lid so that it only opens up to the desired angle to meet this goal.

As a third step, figure (c) of the same graphic 1, the user closes the lid to shake the container and achieve a homogeneous combination of the product with the substances (milk with vitamins and minerals for example).

Finally, figure (D) of figure 1, the user can proceed to consume the product (milk for example) seconds after the combination of the substances in the product has been made, thus avoiding any possibility of degradation or previous reaction of the substances caused by the contact between them and / or with the product. The user can open the lid by separating the intermediate lid from the body itself from the lid, as shown in figure (D) of figure 1 or by unscrewing the entire lid of the container, as is commonly used in yogurt containers currently. We can observe the Container lid in figure 2, in which we can observe in its perspective and section view, its main parts or components that make it up:

The body of the container cover (1) of figure 2; It is a solid and cylindrical body inside, hollow at the bottom and partially hollow at the top, which serves as a union between the container and the container lid. This body (1), is basically formed, in its lower part, by a System of union with the container (4) that will allow the union with the container by means of a system of union by pressure or by a system of union by screwing . This flexibility in the use of the container lid, is because it allows the user to "open" the lid through its opening lid and also unscrewing the entire lid of the container. In addition, this body of the container lid, has a "container closing stop" (5) in its upper part, which allows to seal the container (s) of the substances to be combined. This closed stop (5) has a design that allows it to fit tightly with the outlet opening (11) of the substance containers (6). The body of the container cover (1), also has in its upper part a part of the sealing system (7) ("male"), which has the shape of a truncated and inverted hollow cone and whose function will be that when fitting with his "female" part will ensure the tightness of the contents packed with the agents outside the container, as well as spills or leaks of the product. This body of the container cover (1), also has on the inner face of its upper side, a sealing ring called "seal" (14), which has a solid, cylindrical and hollow shape, similar to a flat ring and that in its upper part it fits into the inner face of the upper side of the lid body (1). This seal (14) has the function of preventing leaks or spills of the packaged product between the neck of the container and the body of the lid. The body of the container cover (1) has a hole in its upper face through which the body of the containers (6) will pass through and this hole or hole will allow the packaged product to exit to the outside when the opening lid is opened.

The opening lid (2), is the part of the container lid that allows the product (milk for example) to go outside without having to unscrew the lid and that contains in its structure the substance containers (6), keeping these substances isolated from each other and isolated from the packaged product. This cover (2) is attached to the body of the container cover (1) of figure 2, by a joint shaft (10). This axis allows the opening cover (2) to rotate to allow the opening of this cover (temporary separation of the body (1) from the opening cover (2)). The opening cover (2) of figure 2, has in its upper structure, one or more containers (6) of figure 2, where the substances that we wish to insulate are stored to combine later (for example if the cover were of two containers; one container can contain vitamins and another container minerals)

The opening cover (2) of figure 2 is solid, internally cylindrical, hollow at the bottom and closed at the top, except for the outlet opening of the container (11) of figure 6. At the top of the opening lid (2), the upper part of the containers is observed, exposing the container filling area (12) of figure 6. The inner face of this upper part of the opening lid (2 ), it contains the "female" part of the sealing system of the lid (7), of shapes of 2 cylindrical and concentric rings that hermetically fit the "male" part of this sealing system (7) that has the body of the cover (1). These cylindrical rings fit in their upper part with the inner face of the upper side of the opening cover. Being able to use also, as an outer cylindrical ring to the side structure of the opening cover (2). The sealing system (7) is intended to prevent leakage or spillage of the product packaged by the joint line between the body of the lid (1) and the opening lid (2). As we can see in figure 6 (where the containers (6) can be seen separately for a better visualization of this part of the opening cover (2)), the containers have 2 openings; a superior one, where their compartments of the substances to be combined will be called the area of entry of substances (12) and a lower one, called opening of the container (11) and that will allow the exit of the substances to be combined at the time of opening the opening cover (2).

The opening of the container (11) is kept tightly closed while the opening lid is not open, thanks to the union of this opening with the closing stop (5) that forms part of the structure of the lid body (1). The area of entry of substances to the container (12) is hermetically sealed by a lid or closed sheet of the container (8), which is of a flexible or rigid and hermetic solid material that prevents any exchange of the contents of the container with the outside . The union of this lid or sheet of the container (8) can be attached to the top of the opening lid (2) by means of pressure (lid) or by means of gluing (if it were sheet). In the case of the use of sheets for the closing of the containers, these would allow to carry printed information to the user, as is commonly styled in several products.

In sum, the containers (6) that are part of the upper structure of the opening lid (2), will be kept tightly closed by the action of the lid or closed sheets of the container (8) and by the union of the area of container opening (11) and the closing stop (5). This position of closed containers (6) will be maintained while the opening lid (2) is held together with the lid body (1). When the lid is opened (separation of the opening lid (2) from the lid body (1)), the closing stop (5) will be separated from the opening of the container (11) allowing the substances housed in the containers slide towards the packaged content, allowing only at that time the combination between the substances and the packaged product. The opening cover (2) also has on its outer side, the flap (9) that will allow "opening" easily to this cover (separate the opening cover of the cover body (1)). This flap (9) will be located diametrically opposite the position of the joint shaft (10) on the opening cover (2). As mentioned above, the lid or sheet of the containers (8) and the closing stop (5) keep the substances to be combined and the packaged product from outside tightly insulated, so that it could be presented as well as the final product to be used, however, for aesthetic reasons, presentation or safety reinforcement of the product with the outside, it is possible to add an additional cover that we will call Top cover (3), which as its name indicates, would be placed on the cover of opening (2) and on the lid of the containers (8). This upper cover (3) is attached to the opening cover (2), by means of a joint system by pressure or by screwing. For this connection, the upper lateral outer face of the opening cover (2) must have the connecting tabs (13) conditioned. The upper lid (3), could also supplant the lid of the containers (8) by being able to give an internal shape that fits in a tight seal of the area of entry of substances to the container (12).

We can see in graph 3 the view in operation (section view of the container cover in full use and the main parts) of the container cover. In this graph we observe how when opening the opening lid (2), the containers (6) are separated from the closing stop (5), allowing the isolated substances in the containers (6) to fall or slide into the main product and combine with each other While the opening cover (2) remains "closed" (attached to the body (1)), the substances housed in the containers (6) are unable to join with each other and with the main product, when the closing stop remains ( 5) closing any possibility of displacement of the isolated substances towards the main product.

Although the opening lid (2) and the body of the lid (1), can be manufactured in a single injection piece (a matrix), we can separate it into its main parts to better observe its parts. In Figure 4 we can see the main components of the body of the lid (1), for a better understanding, we show the sectional view, the top view and the perspectives of this part of the container lid In this graphic 4, we can see the joint shaft (10), which joins the body of the lid (1) with the opening lid (2), which will serve to make the opening lid rotate on this axis at the time of the lid opening. We can also observe in its lower part the system of attachment to the container (4) of the container lid with the product container. We also observe the arrangement of the closing stop (5) that will keep the container (6) closed until the opening lid is opened. In this graphic 4, we also observe in the upper part of the body (1) the circular arrangement of the "male" sealing system (7), which is concentric to the lateral face of the body (1) of the lid. It is also observed in this upper part of the body (1), a hollow area that is the area through which the body of the container (6) will enter and where the product will flow to the outside when the opening lid is opened (the packaged product also it can flow outside by removing or unscrewing the entire container lid).

In figure 5, we can observe in detail the parts that make up the opening cover (2). For this purpose, the cutting views, the top view, the perspective view are presented.

In the sectional view of figure 5, we observe that the opening cover (2) basically has a container filling area (12) that connects the outside with the containers (6) and by which (through this hole or area ) the containers (6) of the substances to be isolated will be filled. The containers may be one or more, depending on the quantity of components and each component that you want to supplement the product. In this graphic 5, the disposition of a lid of two containers (6) is shown, which would allow to house in isolation 2 substances to supplement the product. (For example, vitamins could be isolated in a container and minerals in the second container, thus preventing degradation between them by contact between these 2 components)

We can also observe in this graph 5, the outlet openings of the isolated substances (11), which fits perfectly with the closing stop (5) that has the body of the container cover (1), so that keeping the opening lid (2) closed, this stop (5) prevents the exit of the isolated substances in the container (6). These referred openings of the container (11), have that diagonal shape shown in the graph to facilitate separation with the closing stop (5) and also facilitating the exit or sliding of the isolated substances at the time of opening the opening cover (2) towards the main packaged content.

In this graphic 5, we can also observe the presence of the joint shaft (10) of the opening cover (2) which will serve as a joint and turning point of the opening cover (2) with respect to the body of the cover (one )

In this graphic 6, we can see the perspective view of the containers (6) of substances to be isolated, in this graphic we can see that the containers have 2 exposed sides; The first is the upper part of the containers (6), the substance entry area (12), and that will be closed by the filling lid (8) after introducing the substances to be isolated to the containers (6). The second exposed part is the outlet opening of the containers (11), a conduit that is closed by contact or joint, by fitting the container opening opening (5) with the closed lid (5) of the lid body (1). eleven ). Both "lids", the filling lid (8) and the closing stop (5) keep the lodged substances tightly enclosed in the containers (6), completely isolated between them and also insulated with the packaged product, as long as it does not lift or open the opening cover (2). The containers (6) partially pass through the hole in the upper face of the lid body (1) when the container lid is in the closed position and in this position, the closing stop (5) hermetically closes the outlet openings (11) of the containers (6). When the container lid is opened, the opening lid (2) is separated from the lid body (1) and this action causes the outlet opening (11) of the container (6) to separate from the closing stop (5), allowing the substances housed in the containers to slide towards the packaged product thanks to the action of gravity and the slope of the container base, allowing the final combination of the substances with the packaged product .

Figure 7 shows in perspective the arrangement of the lid of the container (8) and the upper lid (3) in greater detail. In the perspective view shown in the aforementioned graph, we can observe the disposition of the container lid (8), which is intended to hermetically close the upper area of the containers (6) after filling the substances to be combined. This container lid (8) can be solid or hermetic flexible foil shape and It can be attached to the upper face of the opening cover (2) under pressure or by gluing.

As stated above, this lid or container sheet (8) can be the final upper outer presentation of the container lid, however, for greater safety or a better final presentation, an upper outer lid (3) can be added whose layout is shown in graph 7.

The container cover, then allows to house in a simple and effective way various substances isolated from each other and isolated to the packaged product, and combined with each other only at the moment when the opening lid of the container lid is opened, that is, seconds prior to the start of product consumption.

Like other content preservation lid, the container lid is subject to being able to use various product inviolability systems, such as; Threading safety belt (which breaks when unscrewing the cover) and the safety belt to the intermediate cover (which must be broken before opening the opening cover, commonly used in oil caps)

The top final presentation with the closed sheet (8) allows the producer to print logos, indications, compositions, etc. Which could be a new and attractive way to present various products.

6. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION With respect to the manufacture of the container cover, the serial production of these container covers is very simple, which has an impact on their low cost and their mass production. As can be seen in figure 8, the opening cover (2) and the body of the cover (1) can be produced in a single injection matrix as shown in figure A in figure 8. Subsequently, then, The containers (6) of the opening lid (2) are supplied with the substances through dispensers, as we can see in Figure B of figure 8, and then these containers (6) are closed by placing the lid or container closure sheet (8), thus keeping the substances introduced in the containers (6) tightly insulated as shown in Figure C of figure 8. Subsequently, if desired, an upper cover (3) can be placed, as shown in figure 8, figure D. Finally, as shown in figure E, the container cover is ready to be placed in the respective packaging

With regard to the use of the container cover by the consumer, the procedure can be seen in Figure 1 and in the operation view of Figures 2 and 3. Which is very simple, eloquent and practical (please see Figure 1 , 2 and 3):

The use of the container cover by users can be summarized in the following steps outlined in figure 1:

1) Open the opening cover (2) of the container cover (figure B in figure 1) (lift the lid) (at that time, the opening of the containers (11) is separated from the closing stop (5) and fall supplementary substances (vitamins and minerals for example) in the main product (for example milk)

2) Close the opening cover (2) of the container cover (lower the cover)

3) Shake the container to combine the supplementary substances to the main one (figure C in figure 1) (shake to combine vitamins, minerals with milk for example)

4) Open and consume the product (figure D in figure 1). This process can be performed as shown in Figure D, opening the opening lid (2) or also, unscrewing the entire lid of the container (as is generally used with conventional lids).

7. APPLICATIONS OF THE CONTAINER COVER

The possibility of using the Container Lid is very wide and varied. We could take the following into account to project your potential demand.

• In the current market, there is no accessory or system that allows combining or supplementing one or more substances isolated from each other, seconds prior to consumption. The container cover would be the only system developed.

• Not using the container lid would mean the producers, offering their products with a lower quality than desired. • The design of. The Container Lid allows its mass production and its use in production lines. Opening its possibility of use in consumer products, such as milk, yogurt, etc.

• More economical for manufacturers will be the use of container caps than the addition of 3 or 4 times the substance that degrades by not using the container lid.

• The design of the container lid allows its manufacture at low cost and massively to be produced under a single matrix (mold to make plastic caps).

• Only taking into account two dairy products (yogurt and milk in boxes) that offer vitamins and minerals in their final products, the use of container lids would exceed 500,000 units per day in Peru alone.

• Container lids can be used either in plastic bottles (as yogurts are sold) as well as in tetrapacks (such as FRUGOS juices).

• Container caps can also be used for many combination medications, fortified products such as energy drinks, supplemented juices, etc.

Claims

1) A Container Lid for containers, of solid material, which fulfills the function of preserving the packaged content of the environment and of keeping one or more substances isolated from each other and also, isolated to the main packaged product, characterized by having the following parts Main:

- A body of the lid (1), which is a solid and cylindrical structure in its internal part, hollow in the lower part, in whose lower lateral internal part includes the system of attachment to the container (4) that includes the mechanism of union of the container cover with the container, which can be a system of screwing or pressure bonding. In addition, this body of the lid (1), contains in its upper part the closing stops of the containers (5), whose main function is to keep the containers (6) tightly closed of substances to be combined, while not open the opening cover (3). These closing stops (5) have a diagonal cut that fits tightly with the opening (11) of the containers (6) of substances to be combined. The body of the lid (1) has in its upper part, the male airtight system (7), which has an outstanding shape of truncated, inverted and hollow conical structure, concentric to the lateral face of the lid body (1 ) and which will serve to tightly fit the female part of this sealing system (7) to avoid contact of external agents with the packaged content. The body of the lid (1) has a hole in its upper face where the body of the container passes. This hole also allows the packaged product to go outside.

An Opening Cover (2), which is located on the body of the cover (1), connected to the body of the cover (1) by the joint shaft (10). In its closed position, its position is parallel to the base of the container (horizontal) and in the open position, it is diagonal or perpendicular to it, allowing the contents of the container to be exited in this position through the hole in the face upper body of the lid (1). In this opening position of the lid, the substances to be combined are slipped out through the outlet opening of the container (11) of the container (6) towards the contents of the container allowing its combination. The opening cover (2) has in its structure, also, in the upper part, one or more containers (6) of substances to be combined. The upper part of the opening lid (2) is hermetically sealed by the lid or closed sheet of the containers (8) and on this can be placed an upper lid (3) to reinforce the tightness of the lid or for aesthetic purposes or of final presentation. The opening cover (2) has on the inner face of its upper structure, two concentric, outstanding circular structures that form the female sealing system (7) that seals the lid in its closed position avoiding leakage, spillage or contact of External agents with the packaged product. The outer circular structure of this female system (7) can be supplanted by the side structure of the opening lid itself (2)

2) A container cover, according to claim 1, characterized in that, in parallel, when separating the opening cover (2) from the body of the lid (1), the separation or opening of the closing stop (5) of the opening of the container (11), allowing this action, the sliding of the substances housed in the containers towards the packaged product, producing at that time, the union of the substances and the packaged product for its final combination.

3) A container lid, according to claim 1 and 2, characterized by having one or more containers (2) of substances within its own structure that keep these substances tightly isolated from each other and also isolated from the main packaged product. Maintaining this insulation while the opening lid (2) remains in its initial position attached to the body of the lid (1), closed position or horizontal position with respect to the base of the container.

4) A container lid, according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that each of the containers of this lid (6) has an outlet opening (11) which fits perfectly with the lateral side of the stopper of closed (5) of the body of the lid (1), achieving this connection, a tight seal of the container (6).

5) A container cover, according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the containers (6) can be filled or dosed with the substances to be combined, from the top from the outside and sealed by the lid or sheet of the containers (8). This cover or sheet (8) of solid, rigid or flexible material can be inserted under pressure or through glued to the upper face of the opening cover (2) 6) A container cover, according to claims 1, 2,3 and 4, characterized by, allowing the desislation and combination of the substances with each other and with the main product, by lifting or opening the opening cover (2) by action of the rotation of this opening cover (2) on the joint shaft (10), forcing this action to separate the opening of the container outlet (11) from the closing stop (5), thereby achieving the opening of the containers (6) through the substance outlet opening (11). The diagonal or perpendicular position of the opening lid (2) that is achieved by opening this lid and the action of the force of gravity, allow the substances to be combined, fall or slide substances housed in the container towards the packaged product .

7) A container cover, according to claims 1, 2,3,4 and 5, characterized in that it is a unique structure (the body of the lid (1) and the opening lid (1) can be produced with a single injection matrix. 2)).

8) A container cover, according to claims 1, 2,3, 4,5 and 6, characterized in that it is made of a hermetic solid material, harmless and susceptible to being subjected to coatings required for the ideal preservation of the substances to be combined.