Pod for containing and dispensing for bottles

Abstract

The aim of the invention is a pod (1) for containing and dispensing a composition (C) intended to be placed in a bottle with a dispenser connected to a dip tube, comprising: a lateral wall (11) and an at least partially removable bottom wall (12) which define a cavity (13) intended to contain said composition (C); an opening (14) for accessing the cavity (13) delimited by an upper edge (140); an aperture (16) for allowing said dip tube to reach the bottom of said bottle located in a position adjacent and abutting the upper edge (140); a first constriction (15) and / or a second constriction (150) located on the inner face (111) thereof and close to the upper edge (140). Another aim is a piston (2) intended to be inserted into a pod (1) of said type, comprising a head (21) and a stem (22), wherein the head (21) is intended to at least partially contact a portion of the lateral wall (11) of the pod (1) close to its opening (14) so as to seal it, wherein the head (21) is shaped so as to present a recess (24) so that it does not interfere with the aperture (16) of the pod (1). The invention also relates to a kit comprising a pod and a piston of said type.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pod for holding and dispensing bottles.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a pod that can typically be installed within the containing volume of a bottle or container, and can be used to keep a substance separate from the contents of the bottle until it is used. Background Technology

[0003] Similar containers have been known and sold on the market for some time, and meet the need to store two or more components of a mixture in the same container, but require more or less time to separate them from each other.

[0004] This demand arises because mixing these components can cause the product to deteriorate rapidly and unacceptably.

[0005] One example of this is containers used for pharmaceuticals or more generally for the treatment of organic organisms, where the active ingredient is stored in powder form in a small, sealed container located on top of a bottle, which in turn contains a solvent, almost always a liquid.

[0006] When the active ingredient is to be applied, the mechanical action of the user on the bottle (usually applied to the cap when it is opened) breaks the walls of the container storing the powder component, allowing the powder component to mix with the solvent.

[0007] This type of container or cartridge is also naturally used in bottles for cleaning and / or disinfecting products, which typically also require the components to be separated from the solvent contained in the bottle volume until it is used.

[0008] The containers used in all these applications must include a dispensing system for handling liquids, such as a spray or "trigger" type dispensing system.

[0009] A sprayer typically includes a main body equipped with a dispensing nozzle; this body can be screwed onto the top of a bottle instead of a cap, and includes a drawer for holding the liquid contained in the bottle.

[0010] The main body has internal mechanical components (springs, pistons, etc.) that, when activated by the user, draw liquid from the bottle through the extraction tube and distribute it to the outside.

[0011] In containers used in these types of bottles for storing the second component of a mixture, through channels must be cut to allow for the installation of immersion tubes.

[0012] This requirement must be combined with the need to accommodate the plunger or piston in a separate container, which is designed to break down the bottle's walls when the sprayer is fully screwed into it.

[0013] In addition, these containers are positioned in the upper part of the bottle, intended to be gripped by the user, and should preferably have an elongated shape and a narrow width.

[0014] Therefore, the container itself has a long and thin shape, and has a dimension in space that is greater than the other two dimensions, namely depth.

[0015] The types of systems described here have many drawbacks, mainly related to their large size, which stems from the structural criteria they must meet.

[0016] The presence of a channel for the dipping rod to pass through the container reduces the space available for setting the second component to be mixed.

[0017] Therefore, only a limited amount of components can be stored without increasing the size of the cartridge; however, this inevitably leads to a reduction in the main volume of the bottle.

[0018] In addition, it must be considered that a piston is also provided inside the container of the second component to break the bottom wall, which further reduces the volume of the component.

[0019] Furthermore, since the plunger is typically attached to the sprayer body, it overlaps with the piston and must pass through the piston itself to reach the volume of the bottle.

[0020] This requires extra effort in the design of the piston to minimize its size as much as possible.

[0021] On the other hand, pistons designed with a more compact design may have poor performance, weaker structure, and may cause problems such as damage to the bottom wall of the cartridge.

[0022] The difficulty in piston design is further compounded by the fact that the presence of the plunger usually does not allow for a sufficient seal at the contact interface between the sidewall of the cartridge and the surface of the piston itself.

[0023] Finally, another problem caused by the obstruction of the dip rod and piston within such a small space is that it increases the difficulty of filling the cartridge. Summary of the Invention

[0024] Therefore, there is a need for a pod for containing and dispensing bottles that can overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, especially regarding the size and operation of the pod in the bottle and possible filling methods.

[0025] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a pod for holding and dispensing bottles that is both highly efficient and easy for the user to operate.

[0026] In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a pod for a bottle for containing and dispensing, which can be easily filled with a mixture of active ingredients, the active ingredients being kept separate until it is used.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a pod for holding and dispensing bottles, the walls of which can be easily and effectively broken when needed.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide a pod for containing and dispensing bottles, which is easily assembled and manipulated by manual operation of an operator or by automatic operation of a machine.

[0029] Another object of the present invention is to provide a pod for containing and dispensing bottles that is compatible with various types of sprayers or dispensers, even if they have different positions for attaching the dipstick to the body. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The invention will now be described by way of non-limiting examples and with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1A It is a perspective view of the pod according to the invention, in which a bottom wall rupture piston or plunger is inserted;

[0032] Figure 1B This is a perspective view of the pod according to the invention, showing the position of the piston or plunger away from its position in the pod;

[0033] Figure 2 It is a top-down perspective view of the pod, which is individually filled with components that need to be kept separate;

[0034] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the piston or plunger separated from the housing pod;

[0035] Figure 4A and Figure 4B It is a detailed view of the piston or plunger;

[0036] Figure 4C It is a perspective view taken from above the piston or plunger;

[0037] Figure 5A and Figure 5B The pod in the usage configuration is shown when it is damaged by a piston or plunger.

[0038] Figure 6AThis is a top view of the pod and piston assembly;

[0039] Figure 6B This is a cross-sectional view of the pod and piston assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0040] refer to Figure 1A and 1B According to a preferred embodiment of the pod 1 for containing and dispensing according to the invention, a piston or plunger 2 is inserted therein.

[0041] like Figure 1B and Figure 2 As shown, the pod 1 has a first wall or side wall 11 and a second wall or bottom wall 12.

[0042] The bottom wall 12 is at least partially breakable or at least partially removable relative to the side wall 11.

[0043] In particular, when using the bottle, the piston 2 applies pressure to the bottom wall 12, at least partially crushing or separating it.

[0044] Preferably, the pod 1 has an elongated shape to best fit the size of the bottle handle (not shown for simplicity) intended to receive the pod 1 itself.

[0045] Walls 11 and 12 define cavity 13, which is designed to receive component C (e.g., liquid, powdered solid, etc.) separately from the main volume of the bottle containing a suitable solvent.

[0046] The sidewall 11 accordingly includes an inner surface 111 and an outer surface 112.

[0047] The opening 14 at the top of the pod 1 allows access to the cavity 13, and therefore it is filled with component C.

[0048] The opening 14 is externally defined by an upper edge 140, which is substantially configured as a circular crown extending perpendicularly to the sidewall 11.

[0049] Below the upper edge 140 is the lower edge 141, which is essentially configured as a variant of the segment of the sidewall 11, such that the sidewall is divided into a first portion facing the upper edge 140 and having a first outer diameter and a second portion facing the opposite direction and having a second outer diameter smaller than the first segment.

[0050] Once the capsule 1 is positioned in the neck of the bottle, the upper edge 140 contacts the dispensing device, preferably attaches to a suitable gasket, and forms a seal with the gasket, thereby sealing the bottle.

[0051] On the other hand, the lower edge 141 is designed to contact the inner wall of the bottle's neck so as to hold the capsule 1 in place by interference. This connection between the capsule and the bottle at the lower edge 141 ensures a seal between the aforementioned components.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, a first contraction 15 is present on the inner surface 111 of the sidewall 11 and near the edge 140, i.e., a reduction in the cross-section of the cavity 13, which results in a surface transverse to the inner surface 111 that is substantially parallel to the edge 140 of the opening 14 at a position slightly below the upper edge 140 itself.

[0053] In other words, the transverse surface of the first contraction 15 extends along the inner surface 111 of the sidewall 11, preferably in a closed profile pattern.

[0054] Preferably, the sidewall 11 has a second constriction 150 on its inner surface 111.

[0055] The second contraction 150 of the diameter of the wall 11 begins below the first contraction 15 and at a distance substantially equal to the length of the head 21 of the piston 2, which will be described in detail below.

[0056] The second contraction 150 extends at least partially along the sidewall 11.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the second contraction portion 150 terminates at the intersection of the side wall 11 and the bottom wall 12 of the pod 1.

[0058] Additionally, on the top of the pod 1, essentially at the upper edge 140, a hole 16 smaller than the size of the opening 14 is formed.

[0059] Preferably, the hole 16 is located adjacent to and adjacent to the upper edge.

[0060] In particular, it can advantageously be internally tangent to the upper edge 140 and / or the lower edge 141, and lie in a plane substantially parallel to the plane containing the upper edge 140 and / or the lower edge 141 or the plane containing the opening 14.

[0061] Accordingly, hole 16 is in a center-offset position; in other words, if represented in a plan view, it is off-axis relative to the shape of opening 14.

[0062] Corresponding to the hole 16 itself, the hole 16 together with the recess 17 on the side wall 11 of the pod 1 serves as a passageway for the nozzle extractor (not shown) so as to allow its open end to reach the bottom of the bottle.

[0063] The centrifugal position of the aperture 16 thus allows the immersion tube to be received outside the pod 1.

[0064] The recess 17 can advantageously extend along the entire length of the pod 1, starting from the hole 16 at the top of the pod 1 itself, near the opening 14, to the bottom wall 12 opposite the opening.

[0065] In this way, the dip bar is received laterally into the pod 1, within the recess 17 itself.

[0066] In other words, if you imagine viewing the pod 1 from above, the hole 16 and the recess 17 both appear to be contained within the perimeter of the upper edge 140; the hole 16 is adjacent to the edge 140 itself, while the recess 17 extends below the hole 16 itself.

[0067] Advantageously, compared with the prior art involving holes and channels placed in the center of the pod, in the pod 1 according to the invention, the dipping rod does not pass through the cavity 13 of the pod 1 to reach the bottom of the bottle.

[0068] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hole 16 may have an elliptical or oval shape to be compatible with multiple locations of the dipping rod in the bottle in which the pod 1 is disposed.

[0069] In fact, the pod 1 of the present invention is manufactured in a different factory than the factory that produces the bottles used to dispense the final mixture. Therefore, certain tolerances in the position of the dipping rod must always be taken into account to ensure its precise fit within the hole 16, as this position is determined by various different factors.

[0070] This translates into many advantages, such as:

[0071] - Due to better volume distribution, the pod size can be reduced in bottles with the same pod capacity;

[0072] - Easy to fill the pod because most of the opening 14 is not blocked by the passageway of the dip bar.

[0073] Based on the plan view, the pod 1 is roughly U-shaped, with the recess 17 forming the hollow part of the U itself.

[0074] The “U” shape is essentially consistent with the shape of the bottom wall 12 of the pod 1, which therefore has a first end 121 and a second end 122.

[0075] The pod 1 has a thinner material thickness at the intersection of the side wall 11 and the bottom wall 12 to facilitate the crushing action of the plunger 2.

[0076] Preferably, the first and second ends 121, 122 are designed to serve as anchor points from the bottom wall 12 to the pod 1 when the bottom wall is damaged by the action of the plunger 2, as will be better described below.

[0077] In a further embodiment of pod 1, there is at least one anchoring point that is alternative to or additional to the aforementioned scheme, positioned along the intersection of sidewall 11 and bottom wall 12.

[0078] Now for reference Figures 1B-4C The image shows a piston or plunger 2 intended to be disposed within the cavity 13.

[0079] The piston 2 includes a head 21 and a stem 22.

[0080] The head 21 has a side surface 23 which is configured to at least partially contact a portion of the inner surface 111 of the first wall 11 of the pod 1, thereby sealing the opening 14 and forming an airtight seal.

[0081] Preferably, the contact with the side surface 23 of the head 21 of the plunger 2 occurs at the portion of the pod 1 including the first contraction 15.

[0082] Advantageously, the head 21, preferably its side surface 23, may include a first edge 211 on its top, which is configured to contact a first constriction 15 of the inner surface 111 of the pod 1.

[0083] Optionally, the head 21 may include a second edge 212 positioned below and at a distance from the first edge 211; the second edge 212 contacts the second contraction 150 of the side wall 11 of the pod 1 to achieve maximum possible sealing.

[0084] Accordingly, when the head 21 is inserted into the cavity 13 of the pod 1, its travel is limited by two limit switches formed in the pod 1 itself, namely the second contraction section 150 and the first contraction section 15.

[0085] When the head 21 is fully inserted into the cavity 13 of the pod 1, the first contraction portion 15 serves as an end stop for the first edge 211.

[0086] On the other hand, the height of the side surface 23 of the head 21 defines the distance from the first contraction 15, at which the second contraction 150 of the side wall 11 of the pod 1 begins.

[0087] When the second edge 212 comes into contact with the second contraction portion 150 as described above, the movement of the head 21 stops.

[0088] The contraction section 150 thus functions as a seal and a limiting stop.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment, the side surface 23 of the head 21 has an upper portion 230 and a lower portion 231, which correspond to two corresponding horizontal stripes marked on the side surface 23 itself.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion 230 and the lower portion 231 have a smaller cross-sectional area than the first edge 211 and / or the second edge 212.

[0091] Preferably, the lower portion 231 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the upper portion 230.

[0092] Advantageously, when the head 21 is inserted into the cavity 13, the reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​portions 230 and 231 reduces the sliding surface between the head 21 and the inner surface 111 of the pod 1, reducing friction and facilitating its insertion into the cavity 13 itself; furthermore, a portion of the contained air can flow into the cavity between the upper portion 230 and / or the lower portion 231 and the sidewall 11, facilitating the insertion of the head 21 itself.

[0093] The head 21 is shaped to have a groove 24 along its entire height, which conforms to the recess 17.

[0094] Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the head 21 includes a handling or gripping device 25 placed on top of it and protruding from it.

[0095] This processing device 25 is designed to be manually grasped by an operator or by an automated machine using a gripper or chuck to allow the plunger 2 to be inserted into the cavity 13 after being filled with component C.

[0096] Advantageously, in order to facilitate the manipulation of the piston 2 and provide maximum possible versatility, the processing device 25 may have an H, I or U-shaped profile, a core 251, and a first wing 252 and a second wing 253 substantially perpendicular to the core 251.

[0097] In fact, the presence of essentially right angles ensures that the clamping is centered and symmetrical through the automatic gripper.

[0098] When the plunger 2 is inserted and held in the pod 1, the handle 22 of the plunger 2 extends the entire length of the pod 1 itself.

[0099] The end portion 220 of the handle 22 is located near the bottom wall 12.

[0100] It can remain separate and not in contact with the bottom wall 12 until the moment the pod 1 is used, or it can even come into contact with the bottom wall 12 before the moment the wall 12 is squeezed or otherwise separated from the wall 11.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment, the stem 22 of the piston 2 has a T-shaped profile and therefore includes additional ribs 225.

[0102] This gives the handle better rigidity and increases the bending strength caused by the pressure applied by the plunger 2 when the bottom wall 12 is broken.

[0103] In one embodiment, one or more slot profiles (not shown) for the handle 22 are formed on the bottom wall 12, perpendicular to it and extending toward the interior of the cavity 13.

[0104] In another embodiment, this profile corresponds to the increased thickness of the bottom wall 12 in the central region or, in any case, in the region that contacts the handle 22.

[0105] In operation, after the pod 1 is filled with the selected component C, the piston 2 is manually or by manipulator tool positioned in the cavity 13 through the opening 14, orienting the groove 24 toward the hole 16.

[0106] Insertion is performed until a seal is achieved between the side surface 23, preferably the second edge 212, and the inner surface 111 of the side wall 11 of the pod 1.

[0107] At this point, the pod 1, which has a piston 2 inside, is ready to be connected to a dispenser of a known type and ready to be inserted into the bottle.

[0108] The dispenser will be the type that can be screwed onto the mouth of the bottle, so that when fully tightened in use, it will cause the piston 2 to move toward the bottom wall 12 of the pod 1.

[0109] Insertion is completed when at least the second edge 212 of the side surface 23 is sealed to the second contraction 150 of the wall 11 of the pod 1.

[0110] Optionally, and additionally, contact is also achieved between the first edge 211 and the first contraction portion 15.

[0111] Additionally, when the dispenser is fully screwed in, it preferably forms a seal with the upper edge 140 of the pod by means of an intervening gasket, thereby preventing liquid from leaking from the bottle's mouth and through the dispenser.

[0112] The end cap 220 breaks the bottom wall 12, releasing component C into the solvent contained in the bottle and allowing it to mix.

[0113] The T-shaped shape of the handle 22 improves propulsion efficiency by concentrating most of the applied destructive force at three points.

[0114] Advantageously, the bottom wall 12 is anchored to the pod 1 by means of the ends 121, 122, avoiding dispersion in the mixture and possible clogging of the dipping rod, such as Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown.

[0115] Therefore, the present invention, as conceived and described, is readily modified and varied, all of which are within the scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

[0116] Furthermore, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent components.

[0117] Finally, the components used can be any components according to requirements and existing technology, provided they are compatible with the specific purpose and size.

[0118] Where reference marks follow the features and techniques mentioned in the claims, the sole purpose of including these reference marks is to increase the comprehensibility of the claims; therefore, there is no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by these reference marks by way of example.

Claims

1. A capsule (1) for containing and dispensing a component (C), intended to be disposed in a bottle having a dispenser connected to an immersion tube, the capsule comprising: Sidewalls (11) and bottom wall (12) define a cavity (13) designed to receive the component (C). An opening (14) for entering the cavity (13) is defined by the upper edge (140). A hole (16) located adjacent to and adjacent to the upper edge (140) allows the immersion tube to reach the bottom of the bottle. The bottom wall (12) is at least partially removable or fragile to allow the release of the component (C) within the cavity (13). Its features The sidewall (11) includes a first contraction (15) and / or a second contraction (150) located on its inner surface (111) and near the upper edge (140), and a recess (17) is formed along the outer surface (112) of the sidewall (11) extending from the hole (16) to the bottom wall (12) for receiving the immersion tube.

2. The pod (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom wall (12) is shaped as a "U" and has a first end (121) and a second end (122) for anchoring to the pod (1).

3. The pod (1) according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, Includes a lower edge (141) intended to contact the inner surface of the neck of the bottle, the lower edge being formed below the upper edge (140) and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the upper edge (140).

4. A piston (2) intended to be inserted into a pod (1) according to any one of claims 1-3 for breaking its bottom wall (12), comprising a head (21) and a handle (22), wherein The head (21) is intended to at least partially contact a portion of the inner surface (111) of the pod (1) near the opening (14) of the pod in order to close the opening, characterized in that The head (21) is shaped to have a groove (24) so ​​as not to interfere with the hole (16) of the pod (1).

5. The piston (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The head (21) includes a first edge (211) and / or a second edge (212), wherein the first edge (211) is configured to contact a first contraction (15) of the pod (1), and / or the second edge (212) is configured to contact a second contraction (150) of the sidewall (11) of the pod (1), thereby providing a mechanical seal.

6. The piston (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The head (21) has a side surface (23) having an upper portion (230) and a lower portion (231), wherein the upper portion (230) and the lower portion (231) have a smaller cross-sectional area than the first edge (211) and / or the second edge (212), and / or wherein the lower portion (231) has a smaller cross-sectional area than the upper portion (230).

7. The piston (2) according to any one of claims 4-5, characterized in that, The head (21) includes a processing device (25) located on top of it and protruding from it.

8. The piston (2) according to any one of claims 4-5, characterized in that, The handle (22) has a T-shaped profile.

9. A kit comprising a pod according to any one of claims 1-3 and a piston according to any one of claims 4-8.

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