WO2013108109A1

WO2013108109A1 - A flask for the extemporary mixing of two phases of a composition

Info

Publication number: WO2013108109A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/000048
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo PAPERINI
Original assignee: Paperini Massimo
Priority date: 2012-01-17
Filing date: 2013-01-16
Publication date: 2013-07-25

Abstract

A flask for extemporaneous mixing of two phases of a composition, comprising a main body (1) defining a first reservoir designed to contain a first phase (f2) of a composition, a top (2) mobile with respect to the main body (1) and provided with a second reservoir (3) designed to contain a second phase (fl) of the composition, a perforable diaphragm (7) normally set between said second reservoir (3) and said body (1), a cutting edge (4) associated to the relative movement of said top (2) for shearing said diaphragm (7) when said top is acted upon and enabling mixing of the phases (fl, f2).

Description

"A FLASK FOR EXTEMPORARY MIXING OF TWO-PHASES OF A

COMPOSITION"

Technical field of the invention

The present disclosure relates to a flask for extemporaneous mixing of two-phase compositions, for example pharmaceutical compositions, and in particular a flask for containing a liquid phase, provided with a top in turn containing a solid phase to be mixed with the liquid. State of the art

There have been known for some time flasks provided with a top that, when acted, has the effect of releasing a solid phase, generally a powder, within a liquid.

It is also known that the solid phase is kept separate from the liquid phase by means of a diaphragm or membrane, which can be perforated by manoeuvring a top provided with a cutting edge.

Typically, the perforation is made by screwing the top with respect to the body of the flask in such a way that the cutting edge approaches the diaphragm until it shears it, thus enabling mixing of the phases.

Once the powder and liquid are mixed, the top can be removed, and the mixture ingested or used for filling syringes or- the like.

Examples of flasks of this type are known, for instance, from the patent application No. FI2005U00055 filed in the name of the present applicant.

However, the systems of a known type present some drawbacks.

A first drawback is represented by the fact that flasks of a known type present a relative complexity in the way they are made and in their use, due to the number of components necessary for their operation and to the manoeuvres to be performed in use.

In particular, the complexity of the flasks is due to the need to control shearing of the diaphragm for separating the phases so that it is not cut completely, a fact that would cause it to drop into the liquid.

At the same time, use of the flask must be easy and intuitive for any user, in particular if the flask is designed for general consumption.

Purpose of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a flask for two-phase extemporaneous preparations that will present a simplified structure and will be immediately usable, and that will enable the drawbacks of the solutions already known to be overcome.

Summary of the invention

The above purposes are achieved by providing a flask according to at least one of the annexed claims.

A first advantage lies in the fact that the flask is made up of just three essential parts in addition tb the separation diaphragm.

A second advantage lies in the simplicity and immediacy of use by merely applying pressure.

List of the drawings

The above and further advantages will be understood better by any person skilled in the branch from the ensuing description and the annexed plate of drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

Figure 1 shows in longitudinal section a first embodiment of the flask for pharmaceutical applications;

Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the detail C of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the detail D of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the detail E of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a detail of the top of a variant of the flask of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the detail B of Figure 5;

- Figure 7 and 8 show exploded views of the flask of Figure 1 and of the variant of Figure 5, respectively;

Figure 8a and 8b show in exploded and perspective view a variant of the flask of Figure 5 with additional tear- away band;

- Figure 9 shows an exploded view of a further embodiment of the flask of the invention, in particular for foodstuffs;

Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section of the flask of Figure 9;

- Figure 11 and 12 show, respectively, the details C and D of the flask of Figure 10;

Figure 13 shows a perspective view from above of the flask of Figure 9;

Figure 14 and 15 show in exploded and perspective view a variant of the flask of Figure 9 with additional tear- away band;

Detailed description

With reference to the annexed Figures 1 to 8, a flask for extemporaneous mixing of two phases of a composition is described, in particular for pharmacological use.

With reference to the embodiment described in Figures 1 to 4, the flask comprises a main body 1 that defines a reservoir for containing a first phase fl of a composition, preferably a liquid phase.

The body 1 is joined via a thread 16 of a collar 19 to a top 2, which is mobile with respect to the main body 1 and in turn defines a second reservoir 3 designed to contain a second phase f2 of the composition, preferably a solid phase in powder form.

The reservoir 3 is sealed by a perforable diaphragm 7, which in use is normally set between the second reservoir 3 and the body 1 to prevent contact between the phases fl, f2. Preferably, the diaphragm 7 is made, with an aluminium and PVC lamina heat-sealed to a closing edge 25 of the reservoir 3.

Preferably, as highlighted in Figure 4, the lamina 7 is applied also on the lateral surface 25' of the edge 25, thus guaranteeing a better mechanical seal and hence a greater protection from external contaminants.

According to the invention, the top 2 comprises a first part 5 that can be screwed to/unscrewed from the body 1 via the thread 16 and possibly a safety band 17 fixed stably to the body 1 by means of flaps 18 that can be torn by forcing the first part in rotation with respect to the band.

The first part 5 defines the second reservoir 3 in combination with a second part 6 provided with the cutting edge 4 and longitudinally mobile by simple translation by a predetermined amount with respect to the first part 5.

Advantageously, the extent of the translation determines displacement of the cutting edge 4 between an initial position set apart from the diaphragm 7, which is thus intact, to an end-of-travel position, delimited by respective mutual-contrast elements 26, 27 of the parts 6 and 5 of the top 2, in which the diaphragm 7 is only partially sheared.

In the embodiment illustrated, the mobile part 6 comprises a top end 29 that extends at the bottom with an internal cylinder 8, which slides precisely in a corresponding cylinder 10 of the fixed part 5, and with an external cylindrical collar 30, of larger diameter and shorter length with respect to the internal cylinder 8.

Preferably, the internal cylinder 8 of the mobile part 6 is provided with projections or gaskets 31, which are able to slide sealingly with respect to the cylinder 10 of the fixed part 5.

In turn, the cylinder 10 is provided with a first, top, outer ring 11 and a second, bottom, outer ring 12, having an external diameter smaller than that of the first, which are able to engage with the internal projection 9 of the collar 30 (Figure 2) .

Advantageously, the first and second rings 11, 12 act, respectively, as said retention elements for preventing detachment of the parts 5, 6 and as contrast element that hinders initial sliding of the mobile part 6 and prevents accidental perforation of the diaphragm due. to an undesired displacement .

At the bottom of the ring 12 further sealing elements 32, 33 are moreover provided, constituted by annular projections, which are respectively, fixed with respect to the mobile part 6 and to the fixed part 5 and are designed to protect the phase fl of the composition from humidity and contamination coming from the external environment.

Preferably, the cutting edge 4 has a profile obtained by an oblique cut of the end of the cylindrical collar 8 facing the diaphragm 7 with a rectilinear plane or else with a curved surface.

Preferably, the flask comprises means arranged for preventing relative rotation of said first and second parts 5, 6 when said second part is in the end-of-travel position .

Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the reservoir 3 is delimited by two initially separate parts 5, 6 that can be assembled in the assembly stage. With this solution, the aluminium lamina 7 can be welded on the edge 25/25' of the top before the phase f2 of the composition (pharmaceutical/foodstuff product) is inside the reservoir 3 in order to prevent the welding fumes from contaminating it.

To obtain shearing of the diaphragm 7 and enable mixing of the two phases there is moreover provided a cutting edge 4 associated to the relative movement of the top 2, or of a part thereof, with respect to the body 1.

In the example described, these means comprise complementary toothings 14, 15 (Figure 3) , which are present, respectively, on the first part 5 and on the second part 6 of the top 2^' and penetrate one another when the mobile part 6 is at end-of-travel and the diaphragm 7 is partially perforated.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a variant of the flask in which the toothings 14, 15 are not present.

During use of the flask of Figures 1 to 4, the body 1 and the reservoir 3 are filled with the phases fl, f2 to be mixed, and the diaphragm 7 is applied to close the edge 25.

In the initial configuration, the mobile part 6 is raised, the projection 9 is stably withheld between the rings 11, 12, and the cutting edge 4 is set away from the perforable diaphragm 7.

When the user wishes to mix the phases fl, f2 for preparing the composition, he will simply have to press on the end 29 of the top 2 to overcome the resistance opposed by the ring 12 to first advance of the mobile part 6, due to elastic forcing of the collar 30.

Once the ring 9 has overcome the projection 12, the cutting edge 4 can proceed its travel until it perforates the diaphragm 7 partially in the end-of-travel position defined by the mutual-contrast elements 26, 27, in which the perforation of the diaphragm 7 enables the phase 1 to come out of the reservoir 3 and mix with the phase f2.

In this position, the toothings 14, 15 mesh with one another and prevent rotation of the obliquely cut portion 4 and hence complete shearing of the diaphragm, which will instead remain attached to the edge 25 with the non- perforated residual portion.

Once this has been done, the top 2 can be unscrewed from the body 1 and the extemporaneous mixture obtained can be consumed or administered according to the needs.

During use of the flask, in the embodiment of Figures 6 and 8, the operation is to a large extent similar to what has just been described except for the absence of the toothings 14, 15.

Figures 8a and 8b illustrate in exploded view a variant of the flask 1 in which the second part 6 is connected at the bottom by means of a weakening line 40 to a tear-away band 41 provided with a contrast edge 42 that, in the configuration of closing of the flask, comes to rest against a corresponding contrast surface 43 of the first part 5.

In use, the band 41 must be removed to be able to act on the top 2 and to mix the phases fl, f2. Advantageously, this arrangement prevents any accidental action and opening due to an undesirable displacement of the mobile part 6 of the top 2.

With reference to Figures 9-13 a flask according to the invention is described, designed in particular to enable extemporaneous preparation and consumption of yoghurt

(phase fl) to be mixed with lactic ferments in powder form

(phase f2 ) .

In Figures 9-13, technical details equivalent to the ones that have been described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 are designated by the same reference numbers.

In this embodiment, the flask is made up of a main body 100 and a top 200.

The top 200 has a first part 500 that can be connected to a neck 20 of the body 100 by means of a tab 22 that can be torn away for removal of the top and consumption of the mixture obtained.

The first part 500 of the top 200 defines a reservoir 300, which is designed to contain the second phase fl of the composition and is sealed by a perforable diaphragm 700, which in use is normally set between the second reservoir 300 and the body 100 to prevent contact between the phases fl, f2.

Furthermore, the mobile part 600 comprises a top end 290 that extends at the bottom with an internal cylinder 800 that slides precisely, into a corresponding cylinder 110 of the fixed part 500 and with an external cylindrical collar 300, of larger diameter and shorter length than the internal cylinder 800.

The cylinder 110 is provided with a first, top, outer ring 11 and a second, bottom, outer ring 12, having an external diameter smaller than the first, which are able to engage with an internal projection 9 of the collar 300 to act as retention elements.

Moreover provided at the bottom of the ring 12 are further sealing elements 320 330 constituted by annular projections, which are fixed with respect to the mobile part 600 and to the fixed part 500, respectively, and are designed to protect the phase fl of the composition from humidity and contamination coming from the external environment .

.Moreover, the cylinder 110 and the neck 20 are, respectively, provided with conical contact surfaces 111/201 that, during assembly, guarantee fluid tightness of the inside of the flask with the external environment.

Advantageously, the diaphragm 700 is preferably made of an aluminium and PVC lamina heat-sealed to a closing edge 250 of the reservoir 300.

To obtain partial shearing of the diaphragm 700 and enable mixing of the two phases there is moreover provided a cutting edge 400 associated to the relative movement of the top 200, or a mobile part thereof, with respect to the body 100.

In particular, the top 200 comprises a second part 600 provided with the cutting edge 400 and mobile longitudinally by simple translation by a predetermined amount with respect to the first part 500.

Advantageously, the extent of the translation determines displacement of the cutting edge 400 between an initial position set apart from the diaphragm 700, which is hence intact,. to an end-of-travel position, delimited by respective mutual-contrast elements 260, 270 of the parts 600 and 500 of the top 200, where the diaphragm 700 is only partially sheared.

Moreover, the reservoir 300 is delimited by the two parts 500, 600 that are initially separated and that can be assembled in the assembly stage, in such a way that the aluminium lamina 700 can be welded on the edge and on the lateral surface 250/250' of the top 200 before the phase fl of the composition is inside the reservoir 300 in order to prevent the welding fumes from contaminating it (Figure 11) ·

Preferably, the cutting edge 400 has a profile obtained by an oblique cut of the end of the cylinder 800 facing the diaphragm 700 with a rectilinear plane or else with a curved surface.

During use of the flask in the embodiment of Figures 9-13, the body 100 and the reservoir 300 are filled with the phases fl, f2 to be mixed, and the diaphragm 700 is applied to close the edge 250.

In the initial configuration, the mobile part 600 is raised, and the cutting edge 400 is set away from the. perforable diaphragm 700. When the user wishes to mix the phases fl, f2 for preparing the composition, he will simply have to press on the end 290 of the top 200 to overcome the resistance opposed by the mechanical interference between the projections 9 -11. The cutting edge 400 can thus perform its travel until it perforates the diaphragm 700 partially in the end-of-travel position defined by the mutual-contrast elements 260, 270, in which the perforation of the diaphragm 700 enables the phase f2 to come out of the reservoir 300 and mix with the phase fl.

Once this is done, the tear-away tab 22 can be removed to take the top 200 off the body 100 and thus enable consumption or administration of the extemporaneous mixture obtained.

Illustrated in exploded view in Figures 14 and 15 is a variant of the flask, in which the second part 600 is connected at the bottom by means of a weakening line 50 to a tear-away band 51 provided with a contrast edge 52, which, in the configuration of closing of the flask, comes to rest against a corresponding contrast surface 53 of the first part 500.

In use, the band 51 must be removed to be able to act on the top 200 and mix the phases fl, f2. Advantageously, this arrangement prevents any accidental action or opening due to an undesired displacement of the mobile part 600 of the top 200.

The invention achieves important advantages because it enables the two phases to be kept separate until the moment of consumption, thus prolonging the time of conservation of the product and guaranteeing consumption of the contents immediately after mixing of the two phases.

The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants thereof may be devised, without thereby departing from the sphere of protection granted.

Claims

1. A flask for extemporaneous mixing of two phases of a composition, comprising:

a main body (1, 100) defining a first reservoir designed to contain a first phase (f2) of a composition; a top (2, 200) mobile with respect to the main body (1, 100) and provided with a second reservoir (3, 300), designed to contain a second phase (fl) of the composition, a perforable diaphragm (7, 700), normally set between said second reservoir (3, 300) and said body (1, 100), and a cutting edge (4, 400), associated to the relative movement of said top (2, 200) for shearing said diaphragm (7, 700) when said top is acted upon and enabling mixing of the phases (fl, f2),

said flask being characterized in that said top (200) comprises a first part (500) that can be applied in a removable way to the body (100) and defines said second reservoir (300) normally closed by said diaphragm (700), and a second part (6, 66) provided with said cutting edge (4, 400), wherein said second part (6, 600) of the top (2, 200) is longitudinally mobile by a simple translation of a predetermined extent with respect to said first part (5, 500) between an initial position in which said diaphragm (7, 700) is intact and an end-of-travel position in which said diaphragm (7, 700) is only partially sheared.

2. The flask according to Claim 1, wherein said first and second parts (5, 500; 6, 600) are connected by means of a retention element against relative recession and an element of contrast to an initial movement of approach of the cutting edge (4, 400) to the diaphragm (7, 700), which can be overcome by being forced.

3. The flask according to Claim 2, wherein the second part (6, 600) comprises a second cylindrical collar (30, 300) provided with an internal annular projection (9) , and the first part (5, 500) comprises a first cylinder (10, 110) provided with a first, top, outer ring (11) and a second, bottom, outer ring (12), having an external diameter smaller than that of the first, that are able to engage with the internal projection (9) of the collar (30, 300), said first and second rings (11, 12) acting, respectively, as said retention and mutual-contrast elements.

4. The flask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cutting edge (4, 400) is obtained as an oblique cut formed at the end of said cylinder (8, 800) of the second part (5, 500) of the top (2, 200) and facing the diaphragm (7, 700) .

5. The flask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said perforable diaphragm (7, 700) is an aluminium lamina welded and bent over to cover both the front edge (25, 250) and at least partially the side edge (25' , 250') of the top (2, 200) .

6. The flask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said reservoir (3, 300) is delimited by at least two parts (5, 500; 6, 600) initially separated and joined during assembly of the flask, and said perforable diaphragm (7, 700) is a lamina welded before the phase (fl) of the composition is within the reservoir (3, 300) itself in order to prevent the welding fumes from possibly contaminating it.

7. The flask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second part (6,. 600) is connected at the bottom by means of a weakening line (40, 50) to a tear- away band (41, 51) provided with a contrast edge (42, 52) that, in the configuration of closing of the flask, comes to rest against a corresponding contrast surface (43, 53) of the first part (5, 500) .

8. The flask according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means (14, 15) for preventing relative rotation of said first and second parts (5, 6) of the top (2) when said second part is in the end-of-travel position.

9. The flask according to Claim 8, wherein said means (14) comprise complementary toothings (14, 15) present on the first part (5) and on the second part (6), respectively, of the top (2) .

10. The flask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first part (5) of the top (2) is screwed to the body (1) via a thread (16) and is joined to a^' band (17) fixed stably to the body (1) by means of flaps (18) that can be torn by forcing in rotation the first part with respect to the band.

11. The flask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said body (1, 100) and said reservoir (3,

300) contain, respectively, a dosed amount of the liquid and solid phases of a pharmaceutical composition.

12. The flask according to any one of Claims 1-6, wherein said first part (500) of the top (200) has a cylindrical collar (300) that can be connected to a neck (20) of the body (100) by elastic forcing with respect to- an outer annular projection (21) thereof, and is secured to the body (100) by means of a tab (22) that can be torn away for removal of the top and consumption of the mixture obtained.

13. The flask according to Claim 12, wherein said cutting edge (400) is obtained as an oblique cut formed at the end of a cylindrical collar (24) of the second part (600) of the top (200) and facing the diaphragm (700) .

14. The flask according to either Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein said first phase is constituted by yoghurt and said second phase by powder containing lactic ferments.