BOTTLE CAP WITH INTEGRATED DISPENSER

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap with an integrated dosing dispenser.

[0002] It also concerns a container equipped with such a cap with an integrated dosing valve to seal its opening. Previous technique

[0003] There are caps with integrated dosing mechanisms that ensure reliable and precise dispensing of liquid from a container, which the cap also seals. Such caps with integrated dosing mechanisms thus limit the consumption of the product in the container to the only volume required to guarantee optimal performance.

[0004] Such stoppers typically include a stopper head with a thread to ensure their assembly with the neck of a bottle or can, and a dosing device attached to the bottom wall of this head and protruding from this bottom wall.

[0005] Such a dosing device typically consists of a hollow tubular body, open at its free end, to delimit, with the bottom wall of this head, a dosing volume.

[0006] This dispenser is thus fully inserted into the internal volume of this bottle or canister, when the cap seals it.

[0007] Being thus linked to the bottle or flask, this dispenser is always within reach, while being erased in the container when not in use.

[0008] Furthermore, we know of products sensitive to oxidation requiring special precautions during their packaging in order to avoid any alteration, or even loss, of the functions normally provided by these products, before their first use.

[0009] It is known that after filling a container with such a product, the remaining internal volume of the container should be filled with an inert gas to expel the air before sealing. This inert gas is, for example, nitrogen.

[0010] However, despite the care taken in packaging such a product sensitive to oxidation, losses in product effectiveness are nevertheless observed following storage.

[0011] These damages are caused in particular by the air introduced into the container through the integrated dosing cap, the internal volume of the doser in fact constituting a significant storage volume of air, which is naturally transported into the container when it is closed.

[0012] As an example, this can be observed with compositions which include at least one active ingredient intended for veterinary treatment and optionally at least one excipient.

[0013] We know from document DE 20311503 U1, a screw cap for a bottle having a cavity in its upper part which can be sealed by a pressure-fit lid, useful for containing for example a component of a two-component adhesive or pharmaceutical mixtures.

[0014] There is therefore a pressing need for an integrated dosing cap, the original design of which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art described above. Object of the invention

[0015] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a simple container closure stopper, simple in its design and operating method, preventing any possible alteration or degradation of the contents of this container during its storage.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is such a closure stopper for a container, having a reduced size when it seals this container.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is such a closure stopper for a container whose maximum dose of product that can be received in its reservoir is maximized.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is such a closure stopper for a container, the sealing of whose dosing reservoir is particularly simple and effective.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a container for holding a product, in particular a liquid or a paste, equipped with such a closing cap. Description of the invention

[0020] To this end, the invention relates to a stopper for closing a container as defined in claim 1. According to the invention, this stopper comprises: a cap comprising an upper part and a skirt, called the outer skirt, extending from the upper part, this upper part having a hole, a reservoir defining an internal volume to receive a predetermined maximum dose of a product, this reservoir forming part of the cap by being surrounded by the outer skirt so as to be at least partially received in the container when the cap seals the latter, the internal volume of the reservoir being in communication only with the hole in the upper part to allow the introduction of the product to be dosed, and this cap is configured to seal the container tightly when assembled with it.

[0021] Advantageously, the unique design of this dosing cap ensures complete isolation of the internal volume of the reservoir from the container's contents when the cap is closed. This guarantees that the container's contents will perform as intended upon first use. The product's shelf life can thus be guaranteed and even extended.

[0022] The body of this reservoir defines a cavity, or dosing volume, for dispensing the liquid or paste product drawn from the container. This cavity is filled from the outside only, from the top of the lid. Naturally, the reservoir body is solid, or not perforated, to allow for the dispensing of the product drawn from the container.

[0023] For illustrative purposes only, the reservoir can hold an amount of liquid between 10 ml and 100 ml.

[0024] The reservoir extends vertically, or substantially vertically, so that it can be inserted into the neck of a container when the latter is, for example, a bottle or a flask.

[0025] This type of cap allows for reliable and precise positioning of the reservoir relative to the container body when closing the container. This facilitates insertion of the reservoir into the container body.

[0026] This stopper is designed to fit onto the neck of an associated container, so as to form a leak-proof assembly.

[0027] The hole in the upper part of the cap is an opening that goes all the way through this upper part. The body of the cap can be cylindrical.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment of this stopper for closing a container, it is configured to hermetically seal the contents of the container when it seals the latter.

[0029] In other words, this stopper is an airtight stopper.

[0030] Such a stopper not only ensures a seal against liquids but also against gases to protect the product contained in the container, especially when the latter is sensitive to oxidation.

[0031] For illustrative purposes only, such a cap may include a sealing element at the base of the cap that ensures a seal between the neck of the container and the cap. This sealing element may be an annular sealing element such as an annular gasket or a lip seal.

[0032] According to another embodiment of this stopper for closing a container, the hole is positioned centrally in the upper part of the cap.

[0033] Advantageously, since the reservoir has a longitudinal axis, this axis coincides with an axis passing through the center of the hole. In other words, since the hole is circular, the hole and the reservoir are coaxial.

[0034] According to yet another embodiment of this stopper for closing a container, the body of the reservoir is cylindrical or flared, its widest part then being placed on the side of the hole in the upper part of the cap.

[0035] Preferably, this reservoir has a truncated cone shape.

[0036] Such an embodiment ensures easy insertion of the reservoir into the neck of a container, the latter being for example a bottle or a flask.

[0037] According to yet another embodiment of this stopper for closing a container, the reservoir is graduated by being made of a transparent or semi-transparent material to allow easy reading of the volume measurements of the reservoir's contents.

[0038] This ensures easy dosing of the product contained in the reservoir for use.

[0039] According to the invention, this cap includes a sealing element to seal the hole in the upper part of the cap.

[0040] Advantageously, this sealing element is a flap, or cover, connected to the upper part of the cap by one or more joints.

[0041] To ensure the valve remains in the closed position, it can, for example, be clipped into place. The cap therefore includes means for locking / unlocking the valve in the closed position, in which it seals the hole in the upper part of the cap.

[0042] This upper portion having an annular rim surrounding the hole, the sealing element includes a ring configured for assembly with this annular rim, as well as one or more links connecting a closing flap for the hole to this ring. This closing flap is thus movable between a closed position and an open position.

[0043] For example, this or these connections are bridges or tabs. Preferably, in its open position, this or these connections are sized so that the hole in the upper part of the cap is completely unobstructed, or accessible.

[0044] Such an annular rim is formed by a collar placed in projection and extending outwards from the stopper, this collar being of one piece with the rest of the cap.

[0045] In a very advantageous way, the reservoir is integral with this annular rim so that the dosing cavity, or tank of the reservoir, extends to the upper end of this annular rim.

[0046] This maximizes the internal volume, or internal cavity, of this reservoir so that the maximum dose that this reservoir can contain is greater.

[0047] According to yet another embodiment of this stopper for closing a container, this outer skirt comprising an inner wall, this inner wall has a screw thread intended for a tight assembly with a corresponding thread of an associated container.

[0048] As an example, this stopper is intended to be mounted in a helical connection with the neck of the container, the latter being a bottle or a flask.

[0049] According to yet another embodiment of this cap for closing a container, this reservoir and this cap are formed from a single piece of plastic material.

[0050] For example, the tank and the cap are made of a plastic material such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), or any other suitable plastic material. They may also be made of recycled or bio-based plastic materials.

[0051] It could also be a mixture of a plastic material and at least one component such as antioxidants.

[0052] This assembly, including the tank and the cap, can be formed, for example, by injection or by three-dimensional (3D) printing.

[0053] The present invention also relates to a container equipped with a closing device.

[0054] According to the invention, this closure device is a stopper for closing a container as described above.

[0055] This container can be made of any material such as plastic, metal or glass.

[0056] Preferably, this container has a storage volume that allows it to be grasped and handled by hand. It can then be a bottle, a flask, a jar, a jerrycan or even a barrel.

[0057] Such a container may have a straight, circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section. In the latter case, the container may have an orientation stop on its external surface, designed to cooperate with a stop surface on the body of the stopper to give the latter a specific orientation when it seals the container.

[0058] This container may have one or more handles to ensure it can be gripped and transported.

[0059] The present invention further relates to the use of the container as described above for the storage of oxidation-sensitive products.

[0060] Such a container finds applications in the pharmaceutical field, for example in the veterinary field. Brief description of the drawings

[0061] Other advantages, purposes and special features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes only and not as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view of a cap with an integrated dosing dispenser according to a particular embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 [ Fig. 2[ ] is a front and partially cross-sectional view of a container fitted with an integrated dosing cap of the Fig. 1 , the closing valve being in the open position; Description of a method of implementation

[0062] The drawings and description below contain, for the most part, elements of a definite nature. They can therefore not only serve to better explain the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0063] Firstly, it should be noted that the figures are not to scale.

[0064] THE Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a cap with an integrated dosing dispenser according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Such a dosing cap is particularly intended for sealing storage containers of liquid products sensitive to oxidation, such as bottles or flasks with a neck.

[0066] This stopper has a cap, or bonnet, 10 to cover the upper end of the neck of the container.

[0067] This cap 10 comprises an upper wall 11 and a skirt 12, called the outer skirt, extending downwards from this upper wall 11. The body of this cap 10 thus has a cylindrical shape.

[0068] This upper wall 11 has a hole 13 allowing the passage of a volume of liquid through this upper wall 11, and consequently through the cap 10.

[0069] A tamper-evident ring 14 is placed at the lower end of the outer skirt 12 and is connected to this skirt by a line of least resistance. The purpose of this tamper-evident ring 14 is to guarantee the integrity of the container's contents before its first use.

[0070] The outer skirt 12 includes an inner wall, which has a screw thread to ensure the assembly by screwing the cap 10 onto a complementary thread located at the end of the neck of the container.

[0071] This cap also includes a reservoir 15, also called a tank, defining an internal volume to receive a predetermined maximum dose of a liquid contained in the container.

[0072] This reservoir 15 is integral with the cap 10, being surrounded by the outer skirt 12 so that it is received in the neck of the container when the cap seals it. This ensures that the reservoir 15 is retracted when not in use, the cap remaining compact.

[0073] The internal volume of the reservoir 15 is in communication only with the hole 13 through the upper wall 11 of the cap to allow the introduction of the product to be dosed into this reservoir.

[0074] Advantageously, the upper wall 11 of the cap 10 includes an annular rim 16 surrounding this hole 13. The reservoir 15 advantageously forms an integral part of this annular rim 16 so that the dosing cavity of the reservoir, or tank, extends to the upper end of this annular rim. The internal volume of the reservoir 15, and thus the maximum predetermined volume of product that can be dosed with this cap, is thereby optimized.

[0075] The cap 10, the tamper-evident ring 14 and the reservoir 15 are advantageously formed from a single piece of plastic material.

[0076] This cap also includes a sealing element for the filling hole 13 of the reservoir 15.

[0077] This sealing element includes a ring 17 which surrounds the annular rim 16 of the cap 10 for its assembly with this cap 10. This ring 17 is preferably inserted by force, taking advantage of the elasticity of its material, so as to fix it on the annular rim 16.

[0078] This sealing element also includes a hinge connecting a closing flap 18 to this ring 17 so that this flap 18 is movable between a closed position and an open position.

[0079] In the closed position, this valve seals tightly this hole 13 giving access to the internal volume of the reservoir 15. The cap preferably includes means for holding this closing valve, or cover, 18 in the closed position. Advantageously, the latter is clipped into position.

[0080] Furthermore, this stopper is configured to hermetically seal container 19 when assembled with it.

Claims

1. Stopper for closing a container, comprising: - a cap (10) comprising an upper part (11) and a skirt (12), referred to as the outer skirt (12), extending said upper part (11), said upper part (11) having a hole (13), - a reservoir (15) defining an internal volume for receiving a predetermined maximum dose of a product, said reservoir (15) being integral with said cap (10) in that it is surrounded by said outer skirt (12) so as to be at least partially received in said container when said container is closed by the stopper, - the internal volume of said reservoir (15) being in communication with only said hole (13) in order to allow said product to be dosed to be inserted, - said stopper being configured to sealingly close the container when joined thereto, - said upper part (11) having an annular rim (16) surrounding said hole (13), said annular rim (16) forming a projection, said cap (10) has a closure element for closing said hole (13), characterized in that said closure element has a ring (17) configured to join it to said annular rim (16), one or more links connecting a flap (18), for closing said hole (13), to said ring (17) so that said closing flap (18) is movable between a closed position and an open position, and said reservoir (15) is integral with this annular rim (16) so that the dosing cavity of the reservoir (15) extends to the upper end of said rim in order to maximize the cavity of the reservoir (15), and in that - the annular rim (16) is a projecting flange extending toward the outside of the stopper, this flange being in one piece with the rest of the cap.

2. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said stopper is configured to hermetically isolate the contents of the container when closing said container.

3. Stopper according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hole (13) is centrally positioned in said upper part (11).

4. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said body of the reservoir (15) is cylindrical or flared, its widest part then being located at said hole (13).

5. Stopper according to claim 4, characterized in that said reservoir (15) has a frustoconical shape.

6. Stopper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reservoir (15) is graduated and is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material in order to allow the measurements of the volumes of the contents of the reservoir (15) to be easily read.

7. Stopper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer skirt (12) comprises an inner wall, and this inner wall has a screw thread for being sealingly joined with a corresponding thread of an associated container.

8. Stopper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reservoir (15) and said cap (10) are formed in one piece made of plastics material.

9. Container provided with a closing device, characterized in that said closing device is a stopper for closing a container according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Use of a container according to claim 9 for storing an oxidation-sensitive product.