WO2023139296A1

WO2023139296A1 - A closure cap for a container for the supply of food products for patients

Info

Publication number: WO2023139296A1
Application number: PCT/ES2022/070026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrés CABELLO REY
Original assignee: Id Mirai, S.L.
Priority date: 2022-01-20
Filing date: 2022-01-20
Publication date: 2023-07-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device configured as a cap and adapted to add one or more additives to a vessel incorporating said cap, and thus subsequently to allow the contents of the vessel to be mixed with the additive added thereto. An example of a vessel is a bottle or container containing a liquid to which the additive supplied by the cap is subsequently added for the later mixing thereof.

Description

CLOSING CAP FOR A SUPPLY CONTAINER OF FOOD PRODUCTS FOR PATIENTS

DESCRIPTION

5

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device configured as a stopper and which is adapted to add one or more additives to a container or package on which said stopper is incorporated for its closure, and thus, subsequently allow the preparation of the mixture of the contents of the container with the added additive. An example of a container is a bottle or container that contains a liquid to which the additive provided by the stopper is subsequently added for subsequent mixing.

fifteen

It has a special advantage when the device forms a system with an ampoule-type compartment that contains the additive to be mixed, the compartment housed inside the stopper, since the addition of the additive contained in one or more ampoule-type compartments to the mixture content does not require the additive to come into contact

20 with the user, the mixture is ensured without the additive becoming caked in the compartment, since it is separated from the liquid in the mixing container, preventing it from getting wet before leaving said container, and allows the user to ingest the mixture directly from the stopper device itself. In turn, the multi-compartment configuration for various dosing compartments of

25 products allows several products to be stored in the device, separated and isolated from each other until they are mixed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Closing caps that house inside additives to be mixed inside a package or container are known in the state of the art. Some of these closures are configured to house only one type of additive or perhaps several but contained in the same compartment in the closure.

35 Once these additives have been deposited inside the container or container, this The content must be completely extracted so that the user can ingest it from another container or the initial stopper is replaced by another one that allows the patient to ingest the mixture.

One of the most important problems in the mixture of products such as medicines is the correct dosage and the need for the user not to be in direct contact with the product. In many of the known devices, mixing requires the user to have access to the product to be dosed, to be responsible for the correct dosage, and for the dosed product to fully enter the interior of the container where the mixture is produced.

Caps are known that incorporate a compartment to store a powder separated from the liquid in the container. The cavity in which the powder is stored has a tearable area in its lower part and a wedge-shaped hollow cylindrical body in the upper part. To mix the powder with the liquid in the container, the upper cylindrical body must be axially pressed so that it moves axially until the wedge-shaped area breaks the tearable element, causing its opening and access to the liquid.

This type of solution has several problems. The first is that the powder is confined by the tight fit between the cylindrical body and the cavity wall whereby moisture can enter the cavity or even the closure of the cavity with the powder is not adequately ensured.

A second problem is the effort required to break the tearable element. Since the axial stress is against the tearable element the force that is applied to break or tear the tearable element is directly the force of the user.

A third problem with this type of device is that, even if the cylindrical body breaks or perforates the tearable element, its advance must progress sufficiently so that fluidic communication between the interior of the container and the cavity is sufficient. In practice, the closure is partial and with many nooks and crannies that make mixing difficult, resulting in a poorer powder mix than originally designed.

Lastly, a fourth problem with this design is that the cap with the additive, in In this case, the powder must be manufactured jointly. It is not possible to manufacture the stopper to subsequently include the powder.

The following invention proposes a solution to the above problems by means of a closure cap for containers that allows housing inside at least one compartment with an additive that is released inside the container to create the mixture that a user must consume. In turn, this stopper allows the user not only to deposit the necessary additive for the mixture, but also allows the user to infer the mixture from the container directly through this same stopper. The device can be attached to a container containing a drinkable product, and in a very simple and efficient way because it requires minimal effort on the part of the user to add and mix different ingredients. The dosage is pre-established and the product to be mixed does not come into contact with the user. In the nutrition industry, this is especially interesting, since it makes it possible to convert a standard product (which has a closed composition of ingredients) into a unique product, with a truly personalized composition, with multiple combinations without the user having to take responsibility for the dosage and direct handling of the product.

Finally, the present invention allows the manufacture of the stopper on the one hand and the incorporation of the additive after having manufactured the stopper in such a way that the inclusion of the additive is facilitated without the manufacturer of the stopper having access to the product that is incorporated into the stopper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a solution to the above problems by means of a closure cap for containers according to claim 1 and a cap and container system according to claim TI and a compartment according to claim 29.

A first inventive aspect provides a closure cap for a container for supplying food products to patients, the cap being configured to be attached to the container and pour at least one additive inside, where the cap is characterized by comprising: a chassis comprising: a through tubular channel through said chassis according to a longitudinal direction XX' which extends from a first open end of the chassis to a second open end to allow the passage of at least one additive when the cap is in operational mode coupled to the container,

The chassis comprises a tubular channel that extends from a first open end of the chassis to a second open end of the chassis, such that the tubular channel crosses the chassis following a longitudinal direction that throughout the description will be identified as X-X' and that extends from the first open end to the second open end. Specifically, the opening of the second open end in the chassis allows at least one additive to pass from the stopper through the through tubular channel into a container when said stopper is in the operating mode coupled to the container. The tubular channel is understood as a cylindrical, hollow and elongated channel whose axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X'. a first cavity that houses inside a cam configured to trigger the opening of a blister-type compartment by pressure, and

The chassis has a first cavity inside and in this, a cam that is responsible for activating the opening by pressure of a blister-type compartment that houses an additive inside. The expression "blister type" will be interpreted as a compartment that has at least one part that is deformable when exerting force from the outside and causes the transmission of force to the content of the compartment and this causes the breakage of another part to favor the exit of said content.

In other words, the cam is configured to press the ampoule-type compartment so that the additive contained in said compartment is released into the interior of the container when the stopper is coupled to the container in operating mode. The use of an actuation cam for the opening of the blister-type compartment will be seen to exert pressure by relative axial displacement with other parts, so the user's axial force can be multiplied with very small angles of the cam if necessary to facilitate users with little strength to be able to use the cap. coupling means for joining the stopper with a neck of the container;

The chassis, in turn, comprises coupling means that facilitate the coupling of the stopper to a neck of the container to which the additive is supplied. According to one embodiment, these means are for fastening by clipping, and in other embodiments, the coupling means are by thread. an internal tubular body comprising at least one housing with an opening that communicates the interior of the internal tubular body and the housing, the housing being suitable for housing the ampoule-type compartment with additive; and

The stopper also has a tubular internal body whose central axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X'. This internal tubular body comprises at least one housing with an opening connected to the interior of the internal tubular body in such a way that it allows a blister-type compartment with an additive inside to be housed in the housing. In this way, when the cam of the chassis exerts pressure on the ampoule-type compartment, the additive stored inside is released and it is poured through the opening of the housing and falls through the internal tubular body, in turn passing through the cap's chassis.

Advantageously, the housing makes it possible to house inside the stopper at least one ampoule-type compartment that houses an additive of interest to be mixed with the contents of the container on which the present stopper is attached in operational mode. In turn, since the additive is enclosed in the ampoule-type compartment until it is released into the through channel of the chassis, the additive remains separated and protected from the contents of the container until mixing occurs when the additive is poured into the container. The ampoule-type compartment is preferably made up of a deformable part and a breakable part under the force exerted by the cam so that its breakage releases the additive inside. a tubular external body that houses the internal body and at least partially the chassis, where the tubular external body is axially displaceable with respect to the chassis, the external body displacing the internal body with it; The tubular external body houses both the tubular internal body and a part of the chassis inside it. The axis of the tubular external body is parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X'. Furthermore, the tubular outer body is configured to slide axially with respect to the chassis along the direction XX' so as to displace the tubular inner body with it. The external body allows the housing of the tubular internal body that contains the ampoule-type compartment to be covered with the additive so that it is neither accessible nor manipulable by the user. In an embodiment, the tubular outer body is joined to the tubular inner body to form an integrally shaped body. and where the cap also comprises axial retention means between the external body and the chassis at two axially spaced points with: a first position where the internal body is arranged in a first position away from the chassis; and a second position where the internal body is arranged in a second position closer to the chassis than in the first position; it deforms that the passage of the external body from its first position to its second position causes the cam to exert force on the compartment, breaking it and causing it to release its content into the through-passing channel of the chassis, allowing it to fall into the container.

In the first position of the plug, the tubular internal body is arranged in a first position remote from the chassis by means of the action of the axial retention means between the external body and the chassis. On the other hand, in the second position of the cap, the tubular internal body is arranged in a second position closer to the chassis in comparison with the first position also by means of the action of the axial retention means. In other words, the axial retention means allow at least limiting the displacement of the tubular external body with respect to the chassis between two points axially spaced between them and corresponding to the first and second position described respectively. That is, the term retention must in this case be interpreted as retention in at least one sense of displacement so that the tubular external body would have a displacement that would be limited between two positions that it cannot overcome, for example because it comes up against a physical element. According to another example of embodiment, the retention is in both directions of axial displacement, only that to go from the first position to the second position the retention is temporary. This is achieved, for example, by means of a retaining element that opposes axial displacement up to a force threshold value; once this force threshold is exceeded, the tubular external body can already move from the first position to the second position.

When the tubular external body passes from the first position to the second position, the cam exerts a force of pressure on the compartment that houses an additive in such a way that it breaks this compartment and this releases the additive contained inside it towards the interior of the through channel of the chassis, directing the additive towards the inside of the container when the cap is in operating mode coupled to the neck of a container.

In the first position, the additive contained in the ampoule-type compartment is separated and protected from the interior content of the container on which the present stopper is coupled in operational mode. However, in the second position, the additive is released into the container through the through channel of the cap chassis, thus giving rise to the mixture of said additive with the content of the container. Consequently, the first position will be understood as the pre-mixing position and the second position as the mixing position because its contents are released and mixing is allowed.

In a particular embodiment, the axial retention means between the external body and the chassis comprise: first retention means and second retention means arranged on one element, either on the external body or on the chassis, where both are spaced from each other according to the longitudinal X-X direction, and a projection arranged on the other element, either on the chassis or on the external body, adapted to lock in the first retention means and in the second retention means, giving rise to two extreme positions between the chassis and the external body.

In the first position between the chassis and the tubular external body of the cap, the projection engages in the first retention means, while in the second position the projection engages in the second retention means. These axial retention means between the external body and the chassis allow the cap to be hold in each case in each of the first and second positions respectively between the outer body and the chassis. Being hooked or locked will be interpreted as there being at least a temporary fixation between both elements.

In a more particular embodiment, the first retention means of the chassis, the second retention means of the chassis or both retention means, are adapted to establish a temporary axial retention between the chassis and the tubular external body if the axial force between one element and the other does not exceed a pre-established value of force.

In a particular embodiment, in the second position the internal body remains housed in the first chassis cavity. That is to say, by displacing the external body axially with respect to the chassis along the longitudinal direction X-X' until reaching the second position, the internal body is also displaced axially along the inside of the chassis so that it is housed in the first cavity of the chassis in the second position.

In a particular embodiment, the chassis also comprises a second cavity followed by the first cavity along the longitudinal direction X-X' and separated from the first cavity by means of an internal perimeter projection, the second cavity housing coupling means inside it.

The second cavity of the chassis is through which the stopper would be coupled to the neck of a container by means of the coupling means that ensure the coupling of the stopper to the container.

In a particular embodiment, the chassis also includes a plurality of axial guide means included in the first cavity configured to allow the internal body to be guided through the chassis.

The axial guide means included inside the first cavity of the chassis facilitate the guided movement of the body of the internal body through the chassis when it goes from the first position to the second position.

Specifically, the guide means are a plurality of guide channels arranged from the first open end of the chassis to the internal perimeter projection that deforms in the second position of the plug, the internal body rests on the projection. internal perimeter of the chassis.

The guide means are configured as guide channels parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X' and arranged from the first open end of the chassis to the internal perimeter projection. When moving from the first position to the second position, the internal body moves through the interior of the chassis guided by the guide channels until it rests on the internal perimeter projection, thus reaching the second position.

In a more particular embodiment, the internal body comprises a plurality of first guides configured to slide through the axial guide means of the chassis when the internal body passes from its first position to its second position. In other words, to facilitate the guided movement of the internal body through the chassis by the axial guide means, the internal body comprises a plurality of guides or guide elements that slide through said axial guide means. According to a specific example of embodiment, the axial guide means are configured by means of two longitudinal ribs that are parallel and spaced apart and allow the guide to pass between them, which is also a longitudinal rib or projection limited between the ribs of the axial guide means.

In a particular embodiment, the cam is a structural component that projects towards the interior of the chassis and comprises a first section with a wedged ramp configuration.

In the displacement according to the axial direction, the cam projecting towards the interior of the chassis penetrates to a greater degree so that, in operating mode, it first makes contact with the compartment with additive and progressively increases the force by invading the interior space to a greater degree.

In a more particular embodiment, the housing of the internal body is facing the cam of the chassis deformed so that in operative mode when the internal body slides through the chassis, the compartment with additive is pressed by the first section until breaking the blister-type compartment and releasing the additive from the compartment into the tubular channel of the chassis.

The first section in wedged ramp configuration is the one that first comes into contact with the blister-type compartment when moving from the first position to the second position by moving the internal body in a guided manner inside the chassis as described above. The wedged ramp configuration exerts a progressive pressure force on the blister-type compartment, which ensures the correct release of the additive contained in said compartment into a container when the stopper is in operating mode coupled to a container.

In a particular embodiment, the cam also comprises a second section after the first section and defines a surface substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X'. This second section of the cam ensures that a full pressing force has been exerted on the blister-like compartment and maintains the pressing force in this second position.

In a particular embodiment, the internal body comprises a plurality of housings, and the chassis includes cams as housings of the internal body, each of the housings facing a cam. Advantageously, this configuration of the internal body with a plurality of housings allows the cap to house various types of additives that remain separated and protected from each other and from the contents of the container in the first position. Facing the second position, the provision of as many cams as housings per internal body ensures the release into the interior of the container for the mixture of the different additives each contained in a different compartment respectively.

In a particular embodiment, the coupling means comprise a thread for screwing with the neck of the container. The thread facilitates the threaded coupling of the cap to the neck of a container.

In a particular embodiment, the internal body comprises perforation means configured to perforate a closure film arranged in the neck of the container (10) when the stopper coupled to the container and the internal body in operative mode passes from its first position to its second position and thus allows the additive to be released inside the container.

In the event that the container is closed from access to its interior by the neck with a closure film, this stopper also includes means of perforation arranged in the internal body and capable of perforating said neck closure film when it passes from the first position to the second position. By means of the perforation of the neck film, the released additive is allowed to pass through the chassis to the inside of the container.

In a particular embodiment, the perforation means have a configuration of projection in the form of a cylindrical sector and with a lower edge of variable height in the axial direction where said projection projects from the internal body towards the second end of the chassis in such a way that when the cap in operative mode is coupled to the container, the projection in cylindrical section is oriented towards the closing film of the neck of the container in the first position of the internal body and pierces it in the second position.

The configuration of the projection in the form of a cylindrical sector ensures the correct perforation of the film from the neck of the container when the cap passes from the first position to the second position, the internal body moving from the moment the perforation means is detached through the chassis in the direction of the neck of the container. That is, the second position is located at a point where the perforation means must overcome the axial position of the film when passing from the first position to the second position and this can only happen by perforating the film.

In a particular embodiment, the internal body further comprises: an upper portion adapted to be in contact with the external body and the cavity, and

- second guides configured to receive the compartment with additive, keeping it fastened in its operative position facing a housing in the internal body.

The second guides of the internal body facilitate the arrangement of the compartment with additive and keep it fixed facing the housing of the internal body. These second guides stabilize the position of the compartment with additive even when the cam exerts force to release the additive. The upper portion also limits axial displacement of the additive compartment helping to secure its position within the housing.

In a particular embodiment, the internal body comprises a polygonal configuration according to a transverse section to the longitudinal direction XX' whose vertices are coincident with the first guides of the same internal body, and where the at least one groove is arranged between two first guides.

The polygonal configuration generates spaces between each straight section of the polygon and the curved section of the external body, these configurations according to a cross section, so that in each space it is possible to house a compartment for the additive. In this way, the first guides are in the vertices and each accommodation between two first consecutive guides.

In a particular embodiment, the opening of the internal body housing has a shape configured to receive the compartment. In a more particular embodiment, the opening of the housing has a circular shape and includes a support surface configured to allow the compartment to rest on its perimeter region when it is pressed by the cam. That is to say, as the plug passes from the first position to the second, the cam included in the chassis exerts a force of pressure on the compartment with additive arranged in the housing of the internal body so that it rests on the perimeter region of the opening of this housing while it is pressed by the cam.

In a particular embodiment, the external body comprises: a main body with a tubular opening concentric to the longitudinal direction X-X' configured to allow the contents of the container to pass outside the cap, and a lid arranged above the main body along the longitudinal direction X-X'; where the lid comprises a closed position where it keeps the opening closed and an open position where it keeps the opening open.

Throughout the description, relative terms such as upper, lower, above, below should be interpreted according to the operative position of the cap and the container when they are resting on a horizontal surface. In this position, the stopper is located on the container and the different elements are distributed according to the axial direction, which in the preferred examples that will be described later is always vertical. The configuration of the opening with a lid in the external body of the stopper allows the mixture that originates inside the container after the release of the additive inside it to come out and be ingested by a patient directly from the same container through the present stopper. Compared with other solutions of the state of the art, the present invention allows the contents of the container to be ingested through the same stopper that compartmentalizes the additive for the mixture without the need for the mixture to be poured into another container to be later ingested. It also avoids having to remove the cap to release the mixture from the container.

More particularly, the cover is foldable by means of a lateral hinge that allows said cover to be folded down with respect to the main body of the external body.

Even more in particular, the opening of the external body projects a first tubular section from the main body towards the lid, and the lid comprises a second tubular section which projects from the lid towards the main body, both first and second tubular sections each comprising a section diameter such that the second tubular section fits snugly into the first tubular section when the lid is in its closed position to ensure sealing. With this configuration of tubular sections that fit together, sealing is ensured in the cap when its lid is in its closed position.

In a particular embodiment, the main body comprises a projection that projects towards the internal body and has a configuration such that it fits inside the internal body, keeping the latter attached, at least in the transverse direction, to the main body of the external body. This prevents the inner body from shifting in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction X-X'.

In a particular embodiment, the cap comprises means for blocking the axial movement of the tubular external body with respect to the chassis in order to support load on the tubular external body without the passage from the first position to the second position. In other words, the blocking means prevent the tubular external body from moving axially with respect to the chassis from the first position to the second position, and therefore, they are responsible for keeping the plug in the first position. These locking means are especially useful when the container with the cap is transported in boxes and there is stacking. The weight of the upper containers rests on the caps of those located below and, in the absence of these means, would give rise to the unintentional release of the additives, spoiling the product.

More particularly, the locking means comprise: a support portion to rest on the tubular external body, preventing its axial displacement, and a deformable pillar that extends from the chassis to the support portion.

Even more in particular, the cap comprises: a locked position in which the tubular external body rests on the support portion and the axial displacement of the tubular external body with respect to the chassis is prevented; and an unlocked position in which the pillar admits the deformation either towards the outside or towards the inside of the chassis and the axial displacement of the external tubular body with respect to the chassis is allowed.

A second inventive aspect provides a system comprising a closure cap according to the first inventive aspect and a container, wherein the cap is coupled to the container by coupling means.

In a particular embodiment, the system also comprises at least one compartment with additive.

A third inventive aspect provides a compartment with an additive adapted to be housed in the first cavity of a cap chassis according to the first inventive aspect, comprising: a housing configured by means of a sheet of deformable material suitable for incorporating an additive inside and comprising an opening; a breakable lid that closes the housing when it is opened; and a piercing element that is housed inside the housing and is configured to pierce the lid when force is exerted on the compartment in at least one region of the deformable material. When pressure is exerted on the compartment, the deformable sheet deforms and transmits the stress to the content it houses, in particular to the perforating element, so that the perforating element is pressed towards the opening of the compartment, breaking the breakable lid that closes the housing when it is opened and thus releasing the additive contained in the compartment.

In a particular embodiment, the perforating element is a through tubular body comprising a diameter less than the diameter of the opening of the housing, with a first end adjacent to an internal wall of the deformable material of the housing and a second end adjacent to the breakable cap, the perforating element adapted to cut the breakable cap through the edge of the second end adjacent to the breakable cap.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the force exerted by the cam on the deformable sheet and which causes its deformation transmits the force through the perforating element. If the additive contained in the compartment is not rigid, for example a pill, it may not adequately transmit the forces exerted on the deformable sheet towards the lid. It is the perforating element, structurally rigid, that transmits this effort so that the cover is perforated but with a perimeter tear given its tubular shape. In this way it is ensured that the opening that is generated is large enough to facilitate the exit of the additive.

More particularly, the perforating element also includes a V-shaped notch on the edge of the second end adjacent to the breakable cap to prevent the breakable cap from breaking in the area corresponding to the notch. By preventing the breakable lid from breaking completely, that is, by sparing the area in which it comes into contact with the V-shaped notch, it is achieved that the breakable lid does not completely detach from the compartment. Preventing the breakable cap from coming off prevents it from falling into the mix and putting the user at risk of ingesting it.

In a particular embodiment, the perforating element comprises retaining means configured to retain the perforating element inside the housing of the compartment when the breakable lid is broken. These retaining means prevent the piercing element from coming out of the interior of the compartment once the breakable film at the opening of the compartment has been broken. More particularly, the retention means comprise a plurality of tabs that project from the perforating element towards its exterior.

In another particular embodiment, the compartment retaining means comprise a projection around the perforating element.

In a particular embodiment, the compartment is housed in the housing of the tubular internal body of the stopper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, given solely by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 This figure shows a schematic perspective view of a closure cap container system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 In this figure a schematic perspective view of a closure plug is shown in a first position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 This figure shows a sectional view of the closing plug of figure 2.

Figure 4 This figure shows a schematic perspective view of the closing plug of figure 2 without the outer body.

Figure 5 This figure shows a schematic view in perspective of the chassis of the closing plug of figure 2.

Figure 6 This figure shows a schematic perspective view of the internal body of the closing plug of figure 2.

Figure 7 This figure shows a schematic view in perspective and with a section according to a plane that passes through the central axis according to the longitudinal direction X-X' of the external body of the closing plug of figure 2.

Figure 8 This figure shows a schematic perspective view of a closure plug in a locked position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 This figure shows a schematic perspective view of the closing plug of figure 8 in an unlocked position.

Figure 10 This figure shows a schematic elevation view of a closure plug in a locked position without the outer body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 This figure shows a schematic perspective view of the closing plug of figure 10 in an unlocked position.

Figure 12 In this figure is shown a schematic perspective view of a compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 This figure shows a section in perspective, the section allowing visual access to the interior of the compartment of figure 12.

Figure 14 This figure shows the perforating element that is partially shown in figure 13.

Figure 15 In this figure another embodiment of the piercing element is shown.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, according to the first inventive aspect, is a closure cap (1) of a container (10) for the supply of food products for patients, the products contained in said containers (10), wherein the cap (1) is configured to be attached to a container (10) and pour inside at least one additive (A) intended to be mixed with the products. Examples of implementation of this stopper (1) are shown in figures 2 to 11 and are described later.

According to the second inventive aspect, the present invention is a system made up of a closing plug (1) like the one in the first inventive aspect and a container (10) on which the plug (1) is attached. An exemplary embodiment of a system such as this can be seen in Figure 1 and is described in detail later.

Lastly, the present invention, according to a third inventive aspect, is a compartment (5) with additive (A) configured to be arranged inside the closing plug (1) according to the first inventive aspect. Examples of embodiments of this compartment can be seen in figures 12 to 13 and are described later.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a system made up of a container (10) containing food products for patients and a cap (1) inside. This stopper (1) is attached to a neck (11) of the container (10), thus closing the container (10), and is configured to pour into the container (10) at least one additive (A) that is housed in a compartment (5) (not shown in the figure) that is arranged inside said stopper (1). Specifically, the container (10) is in the shape of a bottle. Figure 1 shows an operating mode in which the cap (1) is coupled to the container (10).

The cap (1) shown in figures 1 and 2, as well as the one shown in the rest of the figures, comprises as an external structure a chassis (2) and a tubular external body (4) arranged outside the chassis (2) and extended according to the longitudinal direction X-X'y, which partially houses the chassis (2).

The external body (4) comprises a lid (4.4) that is shown in the closed position where it keeps the passage to the inside of the stopper (1) closed, and consequently to the inside of the container (10). The stopper (1) also shows a second retention means (2.8) that will be described in detail later. In particular, the closing plug (1) is The neck (11) of the container (10) is coupled by means of coupling means (8) included in the stopper (1) (shown in Figure 3).

The external body (4) includes a lateral hinge (4.5) that acts as a link between the external body (4) itself and the lid (4.4). In this way, when the lid (4.4) is opened with respect to the external body (4), that is, it is separated from it, it would remain attached to the body (4) by means of the lateral hinge (4.5).

Figure 3 shows a section view of the plug (1) of figure 2 in which the main components that make up the plug (1) can be seen, that is, the chassis (2), an internal body (3) and the external body (4).

The chassis (2) comprises a tubular channel (2.3) that crosses the chassis (2) in the longitudinal direction X-X' and extends from a first end (2.1) of the chassis (2) to a second end (2.2), and where both ends (2.1, 2.2) of the chassis (2) are open. The first end (2.1), being open, allows the mixture that is produced inside the container (10) when the additive (A) is poured into it and when the cap (1) is in operating mode coupled to the container (10) (as shown in figure 1), can be ingested by a user through the cap (1) when the lid (4.4) is in an open position. The second end (2.2) being open allows the passage of at least one additive (A) when the stopper (1) is in operating mode coupled to the container (10).

The chassis (2) also comprises a first cavity (2.4) and followed by a second cavity (2.5) according to the longitudinal direction X-X'. These first (2.4) and second (2.5) cavities are separated from each other by means of an internal perimeter projection (2.6) that projects towards the interior of the chassis (6). According to this example of embodiment, the first cavity (2.4) houses two cams (6) inside, while the second cavity (2.5) houses the coupling means (8) that facilitate the coupling of the stopper (1) to the neck (11) of the container (10). In particular, the coupling means (8) are a thread that threads with the neck (11) of the container (10).

The internal body (3) has a tubular configuration parallel to the longitudinal direction XX' and comprises two housings (3.1) with an opening (3.2) towards the interior of the internal body (3). These accommodations (3.1) are suitable to house each one ampoule-type compartment (5) with additive (A) inside.

The plug (1) also includes axial retention means (2.7, 2.8, 4.1) between the external body (4) and the chassis (2) at two axially spaced points, and which define two main positions of the plug (1). A first position in which the internal body (3) is far from the chassis (2), and a second position in which the internal body (3) is closer to the chassis (2), always according to the longitudinal direction X-X', compared to the first position and housed in the first cavity (2.4) chassis (2). When moving from the first position to the second position, that is, the internal body (3) approaches the chassis (2), each of the cams (6) included in the first cavity (2.4) of the chassis (2) exerts a pressure force on each compartment (5) in such a way that these compartments (5) break and cause the release of their content (additive (A)) into the through-tubular channel (2.3) of the chassis (2.). In this sense, the additive (A) is allowed to reach the interior of the container (10) when the stopper (1) is in operating mode coupled to the container (10). In particular, the cap (1) shown in the figures is in the first position prior to the release of the additive (A).

The axial retention means (2.7, 2.8, 4.1) between the external body (4) and the chassis (2) comprise, on the one hand, first retention means (2.7) and second retention means (2.8), both arranged on the chassis (2) and spaced between them according to the longitudinal direction X-X'. In figures 3, 4 and 5 these retention means (2.7, 2.8) can be seen in detail, where each of them is formed by a pair of projections axially spaced from each other to house between them a projection (4.1) of the external body (4) that remains at least temporarily locked between the two projections unless a certain axial force is exceeded. On the other hand, the external body (4) comprises a projection (4.1) arranged towards the interior of the external body (4) and is adapted to be locked in the first (2.7) and second (2.8) retention means. When the projection (4.1) is locked in the first retention means (2.7), the cap (1) is in a first extreme position that corresponds to the first described previous position in which the additive (A) has not yet been released. However, when the projection (4) is locked in the second retention means (2.8), the cap (1) is in a second end position corresponding to the second previous position described in which the additive (A) has been released. Both retention means (2.7, 2.8) of the chassis (2) they are capable of establishing a temporary axial retention between the chassis (2) and the external body (4) if the axial force between the chassis (2) and the external body (4) does not exceed a preset force value.

According to figure 3, the internal body (3) also comprises an upper portion (3.4) in contact with the external body (4) and the housing (3.1) of this same internal body (3).

On the other hand, observing figures 3 and 7, the external body (4) comprises a main body (4.2) with an opening (4.3) that is tubular and concentric to the main axis that extends along the longitudinal direction X-X'. This opening (4.3) allows the contents of the container (10) to pass outside the cap (1) when the lid (4.4) of the external body (4) is in an open position where it keeps the opening (4.3) open. In particular, the cover (4.4) is foldable by means of a lateral hinge (4.5) that folds said cover (4.4) with respect to the main body (4.2) of the external body (4).

In addition, the opening (4.3) comprises a first tubular section (4.6) that projects from the main body (4.2) towards the cover (4.4), and in turn the cover (4.4) comprises a second tubular section (4.7) that projects from the cover (4.4) towards the main body (4.2). These first (4.6) and second (4.7) tubular sections comprise a diameter such that the second tubular section (4.7) fits inside the first tubular section (4.6) when the lid (4.4) is in its closed position as shown in Figure 3. An opposite configuration where the first tubular section (4.7) fits inside the second tubular section (4.6) is considered equivalent. On the other hand, the main body (4.2) has a projection (4.8) that projects towards the internal body (3) with a configuration that fits inside the internal body (3) so that it (3) is attached to the main body (4.2) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction X-X'.

Figure 5 shows the chassis (2) comprising in its first cavity (2.4) six axial guide means (9), these axial guide means (9) being guide channels that are arranged from the first open end (2.1) of the chassis (2) to the internal perimeter projection (2.6). Figure 4 shows an internal body (3) arranged on the chassis (2), the internal body (3) comprising six first guides (3.3) configured to slide through the channels configured in the axial guide means (9) of the chassis (2) when the internal body (3) passes from the first position to the second position. The guiding means (9) facilitate the guiding of the internal body (3) through the chassis (2). In the second position of the plug (1) (not shown in the figures), the internal body (3) has descended until it comes to rest on the internal perimeter projection (2.6) of the chassis (2).

As shown in figures 4 and 6, the internal body (3) has a polygonal configuration, particularly hexagonal, according to a cross section of the longitudinal direction X-X' where its vertices coincide with the position of the first six guides (3.3) of the same internal body (3). In addition, two housings (3.1) of the internal body (3) arranged between two second guides (3.5) and facing each other are shown. These second guides (3.5) are configured to hold the compartment (5) in its operative position facing the housing (3.1). Each housing (3.1) has a circular shape suitable for receiving a compartment (5) with additive (A) and has a support surface (3.2.1) where the compartment (5) rests.

Figures 3 and 5 show the chassis (2) comprising two cams (6) as a structural component that projects towards the interior of the chassis (2). Each of the cams (6) has a first section (6.1) with a wedged ramp configuration. The cam (6) also comprises a second section (6.2) followed by the first section (6.1) and defines a surface that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X' (as seen in detail in Figure 3). Between the first section (6.1) and the second section (6.2) the slope shows a smooth transition.

In operating mode when the internal body (3) slides axially with respect to the chassis (2) inside, each housing (3.1) of the internal body (3) faces each cam (6) of the chassis (2) so that the compartment (5) with additive (A) that would be positioned in the internal body (3) is progressively pressed by the first section (6.1) of the cam (6) until the compartment (5) breaks, thus releasing the additive (A) into the channel (2). .3) frame tubular (2).

Figures 3 and 6 show the internal body (3) comprising means of perforation (7) used to perforate a closure film (12) arranged in the neck (11) of the container (10) when the stopper (1) is in operative mode coupled to the container (10). In addition, the internal body (3) also in operative mode passes from its first position to its second position, breaking the film, opening access to the container (10) and thus allowing the passage of additive (A) into the container (10). In particular, the perforation means (7) present a projection configuration in the form of a cylindrical sector with a lower edge of variable height in the longitudinal direction X-X'. This projection projects from the internal body (3) towards the second end (2.2) of the chassis (2) as can be seen in figure 3, so that in the operational mode of the cap (1) coupled to the container (10) the projection in the cylindrical section is oriented towards the closure film (12) (not shown in the figures) of the neck (11) of the container in the first position of the internal body (3) and perforates it in the second position.

Figures 8 and 9 show a closure cap (1), like the examples described above, which also includes locking means (13) that lock the axial movement of the external body (4) with respect to the chassis (2). These blocking means (13) are capable of supporting a load on the external body (4) without the passage from the first position to the second position. Specifically, the blocking means (13) have a support portion (13.1) on which the external body (4) rests, thus preventing it from moving axially with respect to the chassis (2). In addition, the locking means (13) have a deformable pillar (13.2) that extends from the chassis (2) to the support portion (13.1).

Through these blocking means (13), the cap (1) also comprises a blocking position and an unlocking position. Figure 8 shows an example of a locked position in which the external body (4) rests on the support portion (13.1) and prevents it from moving axially with respect to the chassis (2), that is, it prevents the external body (4) from approaching the chassis (2) reaching the second position of the plug (1). On the other hand, figure 9 shows an example of an unlocking position in which the pillar (13.2) is deformed towards the outside of the chassis (2) and the axial displacement of the body (4) with respect to the chassis (2) is allowed, that is, it allows passage from the first position to the second position. In particular, the deformation of the pillar (13.2) according to this example of embodiment occurs at its base through a hinged line formed by a linear region weakened by means of a thickness reduction.

Figures 10 and 11 show other embodiment examples of locking means (13). In particular, figure 10 shows how the pillar (13.2) supports at its upper end, in a support portion, the external body (4), thus blocking its axial movement with respect to the chassis (2). On the other hand, figure 11 shows the cap (1) in its unlocked position in which the pillars (13.2) have been deformed or pressed towards the inside of the chassis (2) which would allow the external body (4) (not shown in the figure) to move axially with respect to the chassis (2) and descend.

The first position and second position of the stopper (1) have also been described interchangeably throughout the text as the first position and second position of the internal body (3), since when the passage from the first position to the second position of the stopper (1) is described, the internal body (3) undergoes a displacement inside the stopper (1). According to an embodiment applicable to all the examples described, the internal body (3) and the external body (4) are joined to form a single body.

Figures 12 and 13 show an example of a compartment (5) that is formed mainly by a housing (5.1), with an opening (5.2), in which an additive (A) is housed, and a cover (5.3) that is breakable and closes the housing (5.1) in its opening (5.2). Specifically, the housing (5) is configured by means of a sheet of deformable material that allows it to be deformed when a pressure force is exerted on it (for example produced by a cam). As shown in particular in figure 13, the compartment (5) in turn comprises a perforating element (5.4) housed inside the housing (5.1) that serves to perforate the lid (5.3) when a force of pressure is exerted on the compartment in at least the region thereof that is made of a deformable material.

The perforating element (5.4) is a tubular body with a diameter less than the diameter of the opening (5.2) of the housing (5.1) but which allows the additive (A) to be housed inside. The perforating element (5.4) comprises a first end adjacent to the internal wall of the deformable material of the housing (5.1) and a second end adjacent to the breakable cover (5.3). This perforating element (5.4) is responsible for perforating the breakable cover (5.3) by means of the edge of the second end adjacent to the breakable cover (5.3) when a pressure force is exerted on the material. deformable housing (5.1) of the compartment (5). In addition, the perforating element (5.4) includes a V-shaped notch (5.4.1) on the edge of the second end adjacent to the breakable lid (5.3). This notch (5.4.1) prevents the lid (5.3) from breaking in the area corresponding to the notch (5.4.1) and thus prevents it from detaching into the cap (1) reaching the interior of the container (10).

The perforating element (5.4) in turn comprises retaining means (5.4.2) to retain the perforating element (5.4) inside the housing (5.1) of the compartment (5) when the breakable cover (5.3) is broken. These retention means (5.4.2) also prevent the inside of the container (10) from being contaminated, this time by the fall of the perforating element (5.4). In a specific example such as the one shown in figure 14, the retention means (5.4.2) have several tabs or projections that project from the perforating element (5.4) towards its exterior. As an alternative, Figure 15 shows that the retaining means can have a perimeter projection (5.4.3) around the perforating element (5.4) that retains the perforating element (5.4) in the housing (5.1) of the compartment (5).

Claims

- 26 - CLAIMS

1.- Cap (1) for closing a container (10) for supplying food products to patients, the cap (1) being configured to be coupled to the container (10) and pour at least one additive (A) into it, characterized in that the cap (1) comprises: a chassis (2) comprising: a tubular channel (2.3) passing through said chassis (2) according to a longitudinal direction XX' that extends from a first open end (2.1) of the chassis (2 ) to a second end (2.2) open to allow the passage of at least one additive (A) when the cap (1) is in operational mode coupled to the container (10), a first cavity (2.4) that houses a cam (6) inside it configured to activate the opening of a compartment (5) by pressure, and coupling means (8) for joining the cap (1) with a neck (11) of the container (10); a tubular internal body (3) comprising at least one housing (3.1) with an opening (3.2) that communicates the interior of the tubular internal body (3) and the housing (3.1), the housing (3.1) being suitable for housing the ampoule-type compartment (5) with additive (A); and a tubular external body (4) that houses the internal body (3) inside and at least partially the chassis (2), where the tubular external body (4) is axially displaceable with respect to the chassis (2), the external body (4) displacing the internal body (3) with it; and where the cap (1) also comprises axial retention means (2.7, 2.8, 4.1) between the external body (4) and the chassis (2) at two axially spaced points with: a first position where the internal body (3) is arranged in a first position away from the chassis (2); and a second position where the internal body (3) is arranged in a second position closer to the chassis (2) than in the first position; so that the passage of the external body (3) from its first position to its second position causes the cam (6) to exert force on the compartment ((5) breaking it and causing it (5) to release its contents into the channel (2.3) passing through the chassis (2) allowing the fall to the container (10).

2. -Cap (1) according to claim 1, wherein the axial retention means (2.7, 2.8, 4.1) between the external body (4) and the chassis (2) comprise: first retention means (2.7) and second retention means (2.8) arranged in an element, either in the external body (4) or in the chassis (2) where both (2.7, 2.8) are spaced apart according to the longitudinal direction X-X and, a projection (4.1) arranged on the other element, either on the chassis (2) or on the external body (4), adapted to lock in the first retention means (2.7) and in the second retention means (2.8) giving rise to two extreme positions between the chassis (2) and the external body (4).

3. -Cap (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first retention means (2.7) of the chassis (2), the second retention means (2.8) of the chassis (2) or both retention means (2.7, 2.8), are adapted to establish a temporary axial retention between the chassis (2) and the tubular external body (4) if the axial force between one and the other element (2, 4) does not exceed a preset force value.

4. Plug (1) according to any of the previous claims, where in the second position the internal body (3) is housed in the first cavity (2.4) chassis (2).

5. Cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the chassis (2) also comprises a second cavity (2.5) followed by the first cavity (2.4) according to the longitudinal direction X-X' and separated from the first cavity (2.4) by means of an internal perimeter projection (2.6), the second cavity (2.5) housing coupling means (8) inside.

6. Cap according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the chassis (2) also comprises a plurality of axial guide means (9) included in the first cavity (2.4) configured to allow the internal body (3) to be guided through the chassis (2).

7. Cap (1) according to claims 5 and 6, where the guide means (9) are a plurality of guide channels arranged from the first open end (2.1) of the chassis (2) up to the internal perimeter projection (2.6) so that in the second position of the cap (1), the internal body (3) rests on the internal perimeter projection (2.6) of the chassis (2).

8. Cap (1) according to any of claims 6 to 7, wherein the internal body (3) comprises a plurality of first guides (3.3) configured to slide through the axial guide means (9) of the chassis (2) when the internal body (3) passes from its first position to its second position.

9. Cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cam (6) is a structural component that projects into the chassis (2) and comprises a first section (6.1) with a wedged ramp configuration.

10. Plug (1) according to claim 9, where the housing (3.1) of the internal body (3) faces the cam (6) of the chassis (2) so that in operative mode when the internal body (3) slides through the chassis (2), the compartment (5) with additive (A) is pressed by the first section (6.1) until the blister-type compartment (5) breaks and releases the additive (A) from the compartment (5) into the channel (2). .3) frame tubular (2).

11. Plug according to any of claims 9 to 10, wherein the cam (6) also comprises a second section (6.2) after the first section (6.1) and defines a surface substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X'.

12. Cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the internal body (3) comprises a plurality of housings (3.1) and the chassis (2) comprises cams (6) as housings (3.1) of the internal body (3), each of the housings (3.1) facing a cam (6).

13. Cap according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means (8) comprise a thread for screwing with the neck (11) of the container (10).

14. Cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the internal body (3) comprises perforation means (7) configured to perforate a closure film (12) arranged in the neck (11) of the container (10) when the cap (1) - 29 - coupled to the container (10) and the internal body (3) in operative mode passes from its first position to its second position and thus allows the additive (A) to be released inside the container (10).

15.- Cap (1) according to claim 14, where the perforation means (7) have a configuration of projection in the form of a cylindrical sector and with a lower edge of height in the variable axial direction where said projection projects from the internal body (3) towards the second end (2.2) of the chassis (2) so that when the cap (1) in operative mode is coupled to the container (10) the projection in cylindrical section is oriented towards the closure film (12). of the neck (11) of the container (10) in the first position of the internal body (3) and pierces it in the second position.

16. Plug (1) according to any of the preceding claims, the internal body (3) further comprises: an upper portion (3.4) adapted to be in contact with the external body (4) and the cavity (2.3), and

- second guides (3.5) configured to receive the compartment (5) with additive (A) holding it in its operative position facing a housing (3.1) of the internal body (3).

17. Cap according to claim 8 and any of the previous ones, the internal body (3) comprises a polygonal configuration according to a cross section of the longitudinal direction X-X' whose vertices are coincident with the first guides (3.3) of the same internal body (3), and where at least one housing (3.1) is arranged between two first guides (3.3).

18. Cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (3.2) of the housing (3.1) of the internal body (3) has a shape configured to receive the compartment (5).

19. Cap (1) according to claim 18, wherein the opening (3.2) of the housing (3.1) has a circular shape and comprises a support surface (3.2.1) configured to allow the compartment (5) to rest on its perimeter region when pressed by the cam (6).

- BO O.- Cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the external body (4) comprises: a main body (4.2) with a tubular opening (4.3) concentric to the longitudinal direction XX' configured to allow the passage of the contents of the container (10) to the outside of the cap (1), and a lid (4.4) arranged above the main body (4.2) according to the longitudinal direction X-X'; where the cover (4.4) comprises a closed position where it keeps the opening (4.3) closed and an open position where it keeps the opening (4.3) open.

21. Cap (1) according to claim 20, wherein the cover (4.4) is foldable by means of a lateral hinge (4.5) that allows said cover (4.4) to be folded with respect to the main body (4.2) of the external body (4).

22. Cap (1) according to any of claims 20-21, wherein the opening (4.3) of the external body (4) projects a first tubular section (4.6) from the main body (4.2) towards the cover (4.4), and the cover (4.4) comprises a second tubular section (4.7) that projects from the cover (4.4) towards the main body (4.2), both first (4.6) and second (4) tubular sections. 7) each comprising a section diameter such that the second tubular section (4.7) fits into the first tubular section (4.6) when the cover (4.4) is in its closed position to ensure sealing.

23.- Plug (1) according to any of claims 20-22, wherein the main body (4.2) comprises a projection (4.8) that projects towards the internal body (3) and has a configuration such that it fits inside the internal body (3), keeping it attached, at least in the transverse direction, to the main body (4.2) of the external body (4).

24. Cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims, which also comprises means (13) for blocking the axial movement of the tubular external body (4) with respect to the chassis (2) to support load on the tubular external body (4) without the passage from the first position to the second position.

25. Cap (1) according to claim 24, where the locking means (13) - 31 - comprise: a support portion (13.1) to rest on the tubular external body (4), preventing its axial displacement, and a deformable pillar (13.2) that extends from the chassis (2) to the support portion (13.1).

26. Plug (1) according to claim 25, comprising: a locked position in which the tubular external body (4) rests on the support portion (13.1) and the axial displacement of the tubular external body (4) with respect to the chassis (2) is prevented; and an unlocked position in which the pillar (13.2) admits the deformation either towards the outside or towards the inside of the chassis (2) and the axial displacement of the external tubular body (4) with respect to the chassis (2) is allowed.

27.- System comprising a closure cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims and a container (10), wherein the cap (1) is coupled to the container (10) by means of coupling means (8).

28. System according to claim TI that also includes at least one compartment (5) with additive (A).

29. Compartment (5) with additive (A) adapted to be housed in the first cavity (2.4) of a chassis (2) of a stopper (1) according to any of claims 1-26, comprising: a housing (5.1) configured by a sheet of deformable material suitable for incorporating an additive (A) inside and comprising an opening (5.2); a breakable cover (5.3) that closes the housing (5.1) in its opening (5.2); and a piercing element (5.4) that is housed inside the housing (5.1) and is configured to pierce the lid (5.3) when force is exerted on the compartment (5) in at least one region of the deformable material.

30.- Compartment (5) according to claim 29, wherein the perforating element (5.4) is a through tubular body comprising a diameter less than the opening diameter (5.2) of the housing (5.1), with a first end adjacent to a wall - 32 - internal of the deformable material of the housing (5.1) and a second end adjacent to the breakable cover (5.3), the piercing element (5.4) adapted to carry out a cut of the breakable cover (5.3) by means of the edge of the second end adjacent to the breakable cover (5.3).

31. Compartment (5) according to claim 30, wherein the perforating element (5.4) also comprises on the edge of the second end adjacent to the breakable cover (5.3) a V-shaped notch (5.4.1) to prevent the breakable cover (5.3) from breaking in the area corresponding to the notch (5.4.1).

32. Compartment (5) according to any of claims 29-31, wherein the perforating element (5.4) comprises retaining means (5.4.2, 5.4.3) configured to retain the perforating element (5.4) inside the housing (5.1) of the compartment (5) when the breakable cover (5.3) is broken.

33. Compartment (5) according to claim 32, wherein the retention means (5.4.2, 5.4.3) comprise a plurality of tabs that project from the perforating element (5.4) towards its exterior.

34. Compartment (5) according to claim 32, wherein the retention means (5.4.2, 5.4.3) of the compartment (5) comprise a projection around the perforating element (5.4).

35. Cap (1) according to any of claims 1-26 and at least one compartment (5) according to any of claims 27-34, wherein the compartment (5) is housed in the housing (3.1) of the internal tubular body (3) of the cap (1).