Dosing cap with protection device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dosing cap (1) intended to be mounted on the neck of a container (30) formed of a deformable wall (31), the cap comprising a dosing chamber (4) provided with a regulating device such as a valve (10), the dosing cap (1) comprising a protection device (20) located above the valve (10), the protection device being configured to prevent fractions of liquid (40, 40a, 40b) from the valve (10) from being projected, under the effect of pressure applied to the wall (31) of the container (30) in the absence of means for closing the upper end (6) of the dosing chamber (4), from the upper end (6) of the dosing chamber (4). The invention also relates to a container provided with such a dosing cap.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Measuring cap with protective device

[0003] The present invention relates to a dosing cap intended to be mounted on the neck of a bottle containing a liquid, for example a liquid concentrated in chemical active ingredient, to be dosed.

[0004] In the field of chemicals, plant protection products, pharmaceuticals, and detergents, for example, the preparation of a precise dose of a liquid product can potentially present a risk to the user. Indeed, these products are generally highly concentrated and their contact with the user's skin can potentially cause an injury such as a burn. When dealing with such products, regulations require limiting / reducing the risks of potential contact between the product and the user in order to obtain marketing authorization.

[0005] In the case of plant protection products, "self-dosing" packaging has been implemented to minimize the handling required to prepare a dose for the highest-risk products. The dose can then be prepared without contact with the user.

[0006] Such packaging is for example described in document EP 2 781 895 A1. This document describes a bottle provided with a measuring cap, the lower end of which is fixed in a sealed manner to the neck of the bottle and the upper end of which is provided with a removable closure means. The measuring cap further comprises a measuring chamber provided with a valve allowing the passage of the liquid contained in the bottle to the measuring chamber and vice versa only when external pressure is exerted on the deformable walls of the bottle. The user can thus transfer liquid from the bottle to the measuring chamber without having to open the upper end of the measuring cap. The user can also adjust the dosage of the liquid, and in particular retransfer an excess quantity of liquid from the measuring chamber to the bottle, by turning the bottle upside down and pressing again on the walls of the latter.The dose adjustment can thus be done without the risk of the liquid coming into contact with the user's skin. The dosing cap in this document is of the type without a dip tube, in other words it does not include a tube extending from its lower end to the inside of the bottle, for example to the bottom of the bottle. Thus, with this type of dosing cap, the dose adjustment in the dosing chamber is done with the bottle closed, by turning the bottle over as many times as necessary and exerting successive pressure on the walls of the bottle, until the desired dose is obtained, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 of this document. Such a dose adjustment method is not possible with a dosing cap that includes a dip tube.Indeed, when a bottle fitted with a measuring cap with a dip tube is in the upside down position, the free end of the dip tube is generally in a space in the bottle devoid of liquid, and exerting pressure on the bottle does not allow liquid to be transferred from the bottle to the measuring chamber of the measuring cap.

[0007] However, once the liquid has been dosed, the user of a prior art package as described above must open the upper end of the dosing cap in order to transfer the dosed liquid into a final container for use of the liquid in the desired application. This final container may, for example, be a sprayer in the case of a plant protection product. Alternatively, this final container may be a bucket in the case of a detergent.

[0008] This final step, transferring the dosed liquid to the final container, must necessarily be done with the upper end of the dosing cap open. This operation therefore presents risks. Indeed, the operating principle of these packages is based on the deformation of the walls of the bottle by the user's hand to create a pressure differential between the bottle and the dosing cap, this pressure differential causing the opening of the valve of the dosing chamber and thus allowing the passage of the liquid from the bottle to the dosing chamber. However, during the final step of transferring the dosed liquid to a final container, the user holds the bottle in one hand in order to pour the dosed liquid into the final container.When the user places the bottle on a flat surface, it may happen that they accidentally exert pressure on the walls of the bottle with their hand and that liquid remaining in the bottom of the measuring cap is projected through the measuring chamber towards the user or their surroundings.

[0009] Figures 1 to 3 attached illustrate this phenomenon with a conventional package 100. In Figures 1 and 2 a conventional package 100 is shown once the dose of liquid 101 to be dosed has been adjusted and the upper closing means (not shown) of the dosing cap 104 has been removed in order to proceed with the final transfer phase of the dosed liquid 101 to a final container 103. In the absence of stress exerted on the walls of the package 100, the valve 102 separating the dosing cap 104 from the interior of the bottle 105 is closed. In Figure 2, all the dosed liquid 101 has been transferred into the final container 103. It may then happen that due to poor handling, when replacing the bottle 105 before having had time to close the upper end of the dosing cap 104, the user presses a little too hard on the wall of the bottle 105, as shown by the arrows P in Figure 3.In such a case, the valve 102 may open under the effect of the pressure present inside the bottle 105, and drops 106 of the liquid remaining at the bottom of the measuring cap 104 may be projected towards the user or his environment. Furthermore, the valves used in the measuring chambers of these types of packaging are often elastomer valves. These elastomer valves generally have a high deformability which means that, as soon as the sufficient pressure differential is reached between the bottle and the measuring cap, these valves deform and open suddenly. This sudden opening can also contribute to causing projections of the liquid which would have remained on the surface of the valve, following a previous handling.

[0010] Thus, under normal conditions of use as described above, by an informed user, the risk of splashes of the concentrated liquid contacting the user's skin or eyes during this final step is not negligible.

[0011] But it may also happen, for various reasons, that the packaging is not used correctly, or is used by an uninformed consumer. For example, it may happen that a user fails to read the instructions for use beforehand and seeks to understand the operation of the packaging after opening the upper end of the measuring cap; in such a case, the handling of the opened bottle cap by the user carries significant risks of projection of the concentrated liquid from the measuring cap into the environment or towards the user.

[0012] Another situation to consider is the situation where a user fails to close the upper end of the measuring cap after pouring the measured liquid into the final container. In such a case, a child, or a person unaware of the dangers of the liquid contained in the bottle, could handle the packaging with the cap open and expose themselves to the risk of burns from contact with the concentrated liquid, or worse, from ingestion of this liquid.

[0013] There therefore remains a need for a measuring cap of the type free of a dip tube, which not only would allow precise measuring of a concentrated liquid without risk of contact with the user by successive inversions of the closed bottle as described above, but which would also allow the final operation of transferring the measured liquid to a final container to be carried out, with the upper end of the measuring cap open, under optimal safety conditions. Such a measuring cap would also ideally prevent any risk of contact with the user when it is handled with its upper end open by an uninformed user.

[0014] The present invention aims to address this need by proposing a dosing cap preventing the risk of concentrated liquid being splashed after the final phase of transferring the dosed liquid to the final container.

[0015] The present invention relates to a measuring cap without a dip tube, intended to be mounted on the neck of a bottle formed of a wall capable of being deformed under the effect of external pressure, said wall defining an interior of said bottle, in which a liquid is contained, said measuring cap comprising: Means for mounting the measuring cap to said neck, said mounting means being configured to ensure a hermetic connection of the measuring cap to the neck,

[0016] A dosing chamber comprising a lower end and an upper end, o Said lower end being intended to be arranged opposite the liquid contained inside said bottle when the dosing cap is mounted on said neck, said lower end comprising an internal wall separating the dosing chamber from the inside of the bottle, said internal wall being provided with a regulating device configured to block the passage of said liquid from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber and from the dosing chamber to the inside of the bottle under the simple effect of gravity, in the absence of stress exerted on the wall of the bottle, and to allow the passage of liquid and gas from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber and from the dosing chamber to the bottle under the action of a determined pressure exerted on the wall of the bottle, o Said upper end being open,

[0017] Means for closing the upper end of the dosing chamber, capable of being removably fixed on said upper end and configured to ensure a hermetic closure of said upper end with respect to the external environment when they are fixed on said upper end, said dosing cap being characterized in that it further comprises: a protection device located in the dosing chamber above the regulating device, said protection device being configured to prevent parts of liquid coming from a lower part of the dosing chamber or from the regulating device from being projected, under the action of a pressure exerted on the wall of the bottle in the absence of the means for closing the upper end of the dosing chamber, beyond said upper end of the dosing chamber.

[0018] The dosing cap according to the invention is free of a dip tube. When the dosing cap according to the invention is mounted on the neck of the bottle and the upper end of the dosing chamber is hermetically closed by said closing means, the adjustment of the desired dose in the dosing chamber is done by successively turning the bottle over and applying pressure to the walls of the bottle as described above.Thanks to its protective device located above the regulating device, the dosing cap according to the invention makes it possible to keep within the dosing chamber, and more particularly as close as possible to the internal wall of this chamber, any part of liquid remaining at the bottom of the dosing chamber, in a lower part thereof, and which would be likely to be projected out of the dosing chamber after the final phase of transfer of the dosed liquid to the final container, for example when the user places the bottle on a flat surface before having closed the upper end of the dosing cap. With the dosing cap according to the invention, if through incorrect handling the user were to press too hard on the walls of the bottle at that moment, the liquid which would be projected by the opening effect of the regulating device under the effect of this pressure would be stopped by the protective device before being able to leave the dosing chamber.Contact with the user would thus be avoided.

[0019] In one embodiment, the mounting means are configured to further provide an irreversible connection of the dosing cap to the neck. In such a case, with the dosing chamber permanently attached to the bottle, the risk of liquid dripping onto an external portion of the bottle at the junction between the dosing chamber and the neck of the bottle is avoided. The risk of contact between the liquid and the user's skin is thus greatly minimized.

[0020] The measuring cap according to the invention is intended to be mounted on the neck of a bottle containing the liquid to be measured.

[0021] Thus, the present invention also relates to a bottle comprising a neck and formed of a wall capable of being deformed under the effect of external pressure, said wall defining an interior of said bottle, in which a liquid is contained, characterized in that a measuring cap as described below is mounted on said neck according to a hermetic, and preferably irreversible, connection, by means of said mounting means.

[0022] The bottle is generally formed of a flexible wall, capable of being deformed under the effect of external pressure. The external pressure envisaged here is generally manual pressure: for example, the wall of the bottle can be compressed by a user's hand. Furthermore, the wall forming the bottle is also generally capable of returning to its initial shape as soon as the pressure exerted on it is released, in other words in a stress-free configuration. Such bottles are known to those skilled in the art. Such bottles are generally formed by extrusion or injection of polymeric compounds such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA), polyamide (PA), polyether terephthalate (PET). The bottle can be single-layer or multi-layer.

[0023] The product, for example a plant protection product, contained in the bottle is in the form of a liquid. Plant protection products are generally classified as risky products. Thus, as liquids that can be contained in the bottle that can be used with the measuring cap according to the invention, mention may be made of toxic materials, corrosive materials, and generally any liquid product that is dangerous to humans and their environment, in the event of direct contact, such as detergents, bleach, concentrated detergents, pharmaceutical products, etc. The liquid contained in the bottle may in particular be in the form of a concentrated liquid, for which a precise dose must be determined and then diluted to use it in the desired application.

[0024] In the present application, the term "upper end or part" means the end or part of a part located upwards in a rest configuration of said part, and the term "lower end or part" means the end or part of a part located downwards in a rest configuration of said part. Thus, the adjectives "upper" and "lower" applied to a part of the dosing cap according to the invention respectively designate a part located upwards and a part located downwards, when the dosing cap is mounted on the neck of the bottle and the bottle is standing in a vertical position, the neck facing upwards.

[0025] In the present application, the expressions "in the distal direction" or "distally" mean in the direction of evacuation of the liquid from the bottle to the outside of the bottle, and the expressions "in the proximal direction" or "proximal" mean in the direction of return of the liquid to the inside of the bottle.

[0026] The dosing cap according to the invention comprises means for mounting the dosing cap to the neck of the bottle. The mounting means are configured to ensure a hermetic, and preferably irreversible, connection of the dosing cap to the neck.

[0027] In the present application, the term "hermetic connection" or "hermetic closure" means a connection or closure with no leakage, in other words no direct connection between the inside and the outside of the device (i.e. dosing cap + bottle) under normal operating conditions of temperature and pressure, i.e. for example for a maximum overpressure of + / - 500 mbars with respect to atmospheric pressure and for a temperature ranging from -10°C to 50°C. Thus, no fluid, liquid or gas, can penetrate into the bottle or exit the bottle via a direct connection between the inside and the outside of the bottle, once the dosing cap is mounted on the neck of the bottle with the upper end of the dosing chamber hermetically closed.Such a hermetic connection can be achieved, for example, by incorporating a seal at the level of the measuring cap at the interface with the neck of the bottle; this is then referred to as a "sealed measuring cap". Another embodiment would consist of a mechanical design fitted between the measuring cap and the neck of the bottle that would not tolerate any leakage, therefore without a seal. This would then be referred to as a "self-sealing measuring cap". Furthermore, by irreversible connection, we mean here that once the measuring cap is mounted on the neck of the bottle, it can no longer be removed.

[0028] In the case where the neck has an external thread, the mounting means may be in the form of a thread adapted to cooperate with the external thread of the neck. The measuring cap can thus be screwed onto the neck of the bottle. Furthermore, the thread may further comprise a stop making it impossible to unscrew the measuring cap and therefore irreversible to screw it on. Thus, the mounting means may be configured to make it impossible for a child to remove them, as in a CRC (child resistant connection) type cap. Alternatively, the mounting means may be in the form of a measuring cap snapping onto the neck of the bottle.

[0029] The dosing cap according to the invention also comprises a dosing chamber. The dosing chamber comprises a lower end and an upper end.

[0030] Since the dosing chamber is intended to allow the desired dose of liquid to be formed, it is preferably formed of walls allowing the user to see the interior of this chamber, in particular allowing the level of liquid present in the dosing chamber to be seen. The dosing chamber is thus preferably made of transparent or translucent walls. For example, the dosing chamber may be formed of a cylindrical wall, preferably transparent. Alternatively, the dosing chamber may be formed of a translucent polyethylene wall: for example, a translucent polyethylene wall may be treated by fluorination in order to increase its barrier properties and thus offers increased properties in terms of safety.

[0031] In one embodiment, the dosing chamber is delimited by a transparent or translucent cylindrical wall provided with dosing aid graduations.

[0032] The lower end of the dosing chamber is intended to be arranged opposite the liquid contained inside the bottle when the dosing cap is mounted on the neck. The lower end of the dosing chamber comprises an internal wall separating the dosing chamber from the inside of the bottle, said internal wall being provided with a regulating device configured to block the passage of said liquid from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber and from the dosing chamber to the inside of the bottle under the simple effect of gravity, in the absence of stress exerted on the wall of the bottle, and to allow the passage of liquid and gas from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber and from the dosing chamber to the bottle under the action of a determined pressure exerted on the wall of the bottle.Thus, the regulating device allows the transfer of liquid in both directions, in other words from the bottle to the dosing chamber on the one hand, and from the dosing chamber to the bottle on the other hand, as long as a pressure differential exists between the bottle and the dosing chamber. Thus, when the hermetically sealed bottle is turned upside down (dosing chamber downwards) but no pressure is exerted on the walls of the bottle, the regulating device blocks the passage of liquid from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber. On the other hand, when the hermetically sealed bottle is turned upside down and pressure is exerted on the walls of the bottle, the regulating device allows the passage of liquid from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber.Similarly, when the hermetically sealed bottle is in an upright position (metering chamber upwards) but no pressure is exerted on the walls of the bottle, the regulating device blocks the passage of liquid from the metering chamber into the bottle. On the other hand, when the hermetically sealed bottle is in an upright position and pressure is exerted on the walls of the bottle, the regulating device allows the passage of liquid from the metering chamber into the bottle.

[0033] The internal wall separating the dosing chamber from the inside of the bottle thus generally constitutes a barrier to the liquid, the latter being able to pass from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber or vice versa from the dosing chamber to the inside of the bottle through the regulating device when pressure is applied to the wall of the bottle. For example, the internal wall separating the dosing chamber from the inside of the bottle may be a transverse internal wall.

[0034] The regulating device also allows air to pass from inside the bottle to the dosing chamber and vice versa during the liquid dose adjustment phases, when the dosing cap is closed.

[0035] In particular, in the dosing cap according to the invention, the inner wall separating the dosing chamber from the inside of the bottle does not include a dip tube, and the regulating device is not connected to a dip tube. It is thus possible to adjust the dose by turning the bottle upside down and exerting pressure on the walls of the bottle in order to transfer a portion of liquid from the inside of the bottle into the dosing chamber via the regulating device.

[0036] The upper end of the dosing chamber is open, in particular to allow the discharge of the liquid that has been dosed. This upper end must also be able to be closed, in particular during the operation of adjusting the liquid dose.

[0037] The dosing cap according to the invention thus further comprises means for closing the upper end of the dosing chamber. These closing means are configured to ensure reversible hermetic closure of the upper end of the dosing chamber with respect to the external environment. Insofar as the lower end of the dosing chamber can, under certain conditions, allow liquid to pass from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber, the means for closing the upper end of the dosing chamber constitute the means for closing the bottle when the dosing cap is mounted on the neck of the bottle, in other words the “bottle-dosing cap” assembly. In particular, the means for closing the upper end of the dosing chamber allow the “bottle-dosing cap” assembly to be hermetically closed with respect to the external environment, regardless of the configuration of the wall forming the bottle, i.e.in a configuration at rest of said wall, that is to say without constraints, or in a configuration in which an external pressure is applied in order to deform said wall.

[0038] The dosing cap according to the invention, when mounted on the neck of said bottle, thus makes it possible to prevent the risks of dispersion of the liquid into the immediate environment of the bottle, whether in liquid form (for example in the event of the bottle being tilted) or in vapor form (for example between two uses). Indeed, certain constituents of phytosanitary liquids (active or formulants) are potentially volatile at room temperature (e.g.: Volatile Organic Compound). It is necessary to guarantee leaktightness and safety over periods of two to three years under ambient storage conditions for liquids that are volatile at room temperature, such as solvents, for example.The dosing cap according to the invention makes it possible to form a bottle-dosing cap assembly which is integral over several years, secure, in particular free from any device likely to put the interior of the dosing chamber or the bottle into direct connection with the exterior under normal temperature and pressure conditions.

[0039] Furthermore, the means for closing the upper end of the dosing chamber allow reversible closing of this end in order to allow the dosing chamber to be opened to the outside, once the liquid has been dosed and it is desired to transfer it for use, for example to constitute a diluted solution for the treatment of a plant.

[0040] Thus, these closing means may consist of a cover that can be screwed or clipped onto the distal end of the dosing chamber. In one embodiment, the closing means of the upper end of the dosing chamber are configured to make them impossible for a child to open, such as CRC (child resistant connection) type caps.

[0041] As for the mounting means described above, by hermetic closure, it is meant here that once the upper end of the dosing chamber is closed, no direct connection between the inside and the outside of the device (i.e. dosing cap + bottle) exists under normal operating conditions of temperature and pressure, i.e. for example for a maximum overpressure of + / - 500 mbars with respect to atmospheric pressure and for a temperature ranging from -10°C to 50°C.

[0042] In one embodiment, the protective device comprises a transverse wall portion, located opposite the regulating device and distally with respect to this regulating device, and a supporting structure connecting said transverse wall portion to said internal wall, said supporting structure comprising at least one recess. The transverse wall portion may have any shape, for example, round, square, triangular and may have dimensions similar to or slightly larger than the dimensions of the opening of the regulating device when it is in the open position. Thus, the transverse wall portion is generally of dimensions much smaller than the diameter of the dosing chamber when the latter is cylindrical.Due to its location, the transverse wall portion makes it possible to stop any drop or part of liquid coming from the lower part of the dosing chamber or the regulating device and projected towards the upper part of the dosing chamber after the final transfer phase, before the upper end of the dosing chamber has been closed by the user. Drops projected obliquely, that is to say in a direction forming an angle with the distal direction, are stopped by the side wall of the dosing chamber. Thus, the phase after the transfer of the dosed liquid into the final container, before the upper end of the dosing cap is closed, is safe. The risk of drops of liquid being projected onto the user is very low.

[0043] Furthermore, thanks to the presence of the recess, the liquid passing through the regulating device from the bottle can flow and fill the dosing chamber during the preliminary dosing operations, when the upper end of the dosing chamber is closed. Thus, the protection device allows the flow of liquid from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber, and vice versa.

[0044] In one embodiment, the supporting structure comprises a plurality of recesses, said recesses being separated from each other by a plurality of pillars extending from said transverse wall portion to said inner wall, distributed along the perimeter of said transverse wall portion. A plurality of recesses allows for a fluidized flow of liquid in the metering chamber. For example, the pillars may be regularly spaced along the perimeter of said transverse wall portion.

[0045] In one embodiment, said recess(es) are confined within a determined angular section of the periphery of the supporting structure, for example within an angular section ranging from 0 to 180° of the periphery of the supporting structure. For example, the transverse wall portion may be round, and the recesses are confined within the supporting structure over half or a quarter of the circumference of the transverse wall portion. This embodiment ensures that drops of liquid that pass from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber during dose adjustment or drops of liquid that may be projected after the final transfer phase are confined within a specific angular section of the dosing chamber.It is then possible to provide dosing aid graduations on the transparent or translucent wall of the dosing chamber without risking that the latter are soiled by the projected drops, by locating these graduations opposite the determined angular section in which the recesses are confined. Thus, in one embodiment, the dosing chamber being delimited by a transparent or translucent cylindrical wall provided with dosing aid graduations, said graduations are located in an angular section of the transparent cylindrical wall diametrically opposite said determined angular section.

[0046] In one embodiment, at least one of said recesses extends distally from said inner wall. The fact that at least one recess extends distally from the inner wall of the dosing chamber makes it possible to ensure complete emptying of the dosing chamber towards the inside of the bottle if necessary. Indeed, thanks to the presence of a recess extending distally from the inner wall, all of the liquid remaining at this inner wall, which constitutes the lower end of the dosing chamber, can be evacuated towards the inside of the bottle via the regulating device present on said inner wall. In one embodiment, several of said recesses extend from the inner wall.

[0047] In one embodiment, the supporting structure comprises a plurality of recesses, said recesses being separated from each other by a plurality of pillars extending from said transverse wall portion to said inner wall, distributed along the perimeter of said transverse wall portion. Such an embodiment, in an inverted position of the dosing cap, allows time for the user who has accidentally pressed on the bottle with the neck facing downwards to react and prevent a leak of product to the external environment, for example by putting the bottle right side up. In such a case, for example, a viscous liquid could partly be retained by the proximal peripheral rim mentioned above and / or deflected towards the walls of the dosing chamber by the recesses.

[0048] In one embodiment, said protective device is configured to store a quantity of liquid ranging from 1 ml to 5 ml in an inverted position of the dosing cap. For example, the transverse wall portion may be provided with a proximal peripheral rim capable of containing said quantity of liquid on a proximal face of said transverse wall portion. Thus, in the inverted position of the dosing cap, otherwise with the neck of the bottle directed downwards, a small quantity of liquid may be stored in the protective device. This makes it possible to retain some liquid if the bottle were to be accidentally turned upside down with the cap open. Such a storage area could also prove useful in the case of a regulating device having a leak-proof defect.

[0049] In one embodiment, said protective device is configured to store a quantity of liquid ranging from 1 ml to 5 ml in an inverted position of the dosing cap and the recesses are confined in a determined angular section of the periphery of the supporting structure as described above.

[0050] The regulating device can take different forms depending on the viscosity, density and / or chemical aggressiveness of the liquid contained in the bottle.

[0051] Thus, in one embodiment, the regulating device may comprise a valve. The valve is preferably two-way, and it allows liquid to pass from the interior of the bottle to the dosing chamber and vice versa. In one embodiment, the regulating device comprises an elastomeric valve.

[0052] Alternatively or in combination, the regulating device may for example comprise one or more holes having a diameter ranging from 0.1 to 8 mm, formed in the internal wall separating the dosing chamber from the interior of the bottle.

[0053] In another embodiment, the regulating device comprises a seal equipped with a valve system, i.e. a seal which, in addition to its sealing function on its periphery, would also offer a liquid regulating function through cutout(s) in its center.

[0054] Regardless of the regulating device used, after the transfer of the dosed liquid into the final container, drops of liquid may remain attached to the wall of the dosing chamber and fall by gravity towards the lower end of the dosing chamber, inter alia onto the regulating device. The protective device for the dosing cap according to the invention makes it possible to prevent such drops of liquid thus present in the lower part of the dosing chamber from being projected beyond the upper end of the dosing chamber if the user inadvertently exerts pressure on the walls of the bottle before having closed the dosing cap.

[0055] The present invention will emerge more fully from the detailed description below and the appended figures in which:

[0056] - [Fig. 1] is a sectional view of a prior art bottle and dosing cap before the final transfer phase of the dosed liquid,

[0057] - [Fig. 2] is a sectional view of the bottle and measuring cap of Figure 1 at the end of the transfer of the metered liquid into a final container,

[0058] - [Fig. 3] is a sectional view of the bottle and dosing cap of Figures 1 and 2 during improper handling of the bottle after transferring the dosed liquid,

[0059] - [Fig. 4] is an exploded and partially sectioned perspective view of a bottle and a measuring cap according to the invention when the measuring cap is closed,

[0060] - [Fig. 5] is a sectional view of the bottle and measuring cap of Figure 4 when the measuring cap is closed, - [Fig. 6A] is a sectional view of the bottle and measuring cap of Figure 4 when the measuring cap is open,

[0061] - [Fig. 6B] is a sectional view perpendicular to Figure 6A,

[0062] - [Fig. 7] is a sectional view of the measuring cap of Figure 4 opened,

[0063] - [Fig. 8] is a top view of the measuring cap of Figure 4 on the bottle, and open,

[0064] - [Fig. 9] is a perspective view of the measuring cap protection device of Figure 4,

[0065] - [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of another embodiment of a measuring cap protection device according to the invention,

[0066] - [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of another embodiment of a measuring cap protection device according to the invention,

[0067] - [Fig. 12] is a perspective view of another embodiment of a measuring cap protection device according to the invention,

[0068] - [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of another embodiment of a measuring cap protection device according to the invention,

[0069] - [Fig. 14] is a perspective view of the measuring cap of Figure 4,

[0070] - [Fig. 15] is a sectional view of the bottle and measuring cap of Figure 4 during improper handling by the user after transferring the measured liquid into a final container, with the measuring cap open,

[0071] - [Fig. 16] is a sectional view of the bottle and a measuring cap according to the invention comprising a protective device configured to store a small quantity of liquid in the inverted position of the measuring cap,

[0072] - [Fig. 17] is a top view of a seal with valve usable as a regulating device for the measuring cap according to the invention.

[0073] Referring to Figures 4-6B, a measuring cap 1 according to the invention is shown, mounted on a bottle 30.

[0074] Bottle 30 is intended for storing products generally considered hazardous, in liquid form, such as chemicals or plant protection products. Generally, these liquids are stored in bottle 30 in concentrated form. To use them for a desired application, for example the treatment of a plant, a precise dose must be taken, which must then be diluted, for example in water.

[0075] The bottle 30 is formed of a wall 31 impervious to the liquid 40 which it contains. The wall

[0076] 31 defines an interior 32 of the bottle 30. The wall 31 is furthermore capable of being deformed under the effect of external pressure, for example pressure from the hand of a user. The wall 31 is also capable of returning to its initial shape when the pressure exerted on it is released. The wall 31 may for example be formed by extrusion or injection of polymeric compounds such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA), polyamide (PA), polyether terephthalate (PET).

[0077] The bottle 30 includes a neck 33 through which the liquid it contains can be withdrawn from the bottle 30. The neck 33 is provided with an external thread 34.

[0078] The measuring cap 1 comprises a lower ring 2 comprising an internal thread 3 capable of cooperating with the external thread 34 of the neck 33 of the bottle 30 to mount the measuring cap 1 on the bottle by screwing. The lower ring 2 of the measuring cap 1 constitutes a means for mounting the measuring cap 1 on the neck 33, ensuring a hermetic and irreversible connection of the measuring cap 1 on the neck 33. To do this, the internal thread 3 of the lower ring 2 comprises a stop capable of engaging in a notch 35 located on the neck 33, the engagement of the stop of the internal thread 3 of the lower ring 2 of the measuring cap 1 in the notch 35 of the neck 33 of the bottle 30 making the unscrewing of the lower ring 2 impossible.

[0079] In an embodiment not shown, the lower ring could be free of a stop, so as to allow a reversible connection of the measuring cap to the neck. Such an embodiment may be suitable when the liquid contained in the bottle does not constitute a dangerous product.

[0080] With reference to Figures 4-6B, the dosing cap 1 also comprises a dosing chamber 4. The dosing chamber 4 is intended to allow the measurement and adjustment of the dose of liquid 40 contained in the bottle for subsequent use, for example in diluted form. The dosing chamber 4 comprises a lower end 5 and an upper end 6, a generally cylindrical wall 7 defining an interior 8 of the dosing chamber 4. The cylindrical wall 7 is advantageously transparent in order to allow the user to easily assess the level of liquid 40 present in the dosing chamber 4 during the dose adjustment process.

[0081] The cylindrical wall 7 of the dosing chamber 4 can be provided with a direct or indirect graduated scale (not shown) in order to facilitate reading of the volume level of the product that is to be dosed.

[0082] As can be seen from the Figures, once the dosing cap 1 is mounted on the neck 33, the lower end 5 of the dosing chamber 4 faces the liquid 40 contained in the bottle 30. The lower end 5 of the dosing chamber 4 comprises a transverse internal wall 9 separating the interior 32 of the bottle from the dosing chamber 4. In the example shown in Figures 4-6B and 9, the internal wall 9 is provided with a valve 10.The valve 10 is configured to prevent the passage of the liquid 40 from the interior 32 of the bottle 30 to the dosing chamber 4 and from the dosing chamber 4 to the interior 32 of the bottle 30 when the wall 31 of the bottle 30 is not subject to any stress, and to allow the passage of said liquid 40 from the interior 32 of the bottle to the dosing chamber 4 and / or from the dosing chamber 4 to the bottle 30 when pressure is applied to the wall 31 of said bottle 30 as described above for the regulating device, in particular during the dose adjustment process. The transverse internal wall 9 thus constitutes a barrier to the liquid 40, the latter being able however to pass from the interior 32 of the bottle to the dosing chamber 4 or vice versa from the dosing chamber 4 to the interior 32 of the bottle through the valve 10 when pressure is applied to the wall 31 of the bottle.

[0083] The valve 10 may for example be made of thermoplastic elastomer or silicone. It may for example have an opening diameter ranging from approximately 0.5 mm to 5 cm, for example approximately 1 cm. The valve 10 constitutes a regulating device configured to block the passage of said liquid from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber and from the dosing chamber to the inside of the bottle under the simple effect of gravity, in the absence of stress exerted on the wall of the bottle, and to allow the passage of the product from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber and from the dosing chamber to the bottle under the action of a determined pressure exerted on the wall of the bottle.

[0084] In an embodiment not shown, such a regulating device could be in the form of a valve combined with a vent, for example positioned laterally to the valve. Such a vent is particularly advantageous for allowing air to pass when the liquid has a viscosity such as to make it difficult for both the liquid and the air to pass through the valve alone when transferring the liquid from the inside of the bottle to the dosing chamber or from the dosing chamber to the inside of the bottle. Such a vent may for example have a diameter ranging from approximately 0.4 mm to approximately 1.5 mm, for example approximately 1 mm.

[0085] Alternatively or in combination, the regulating device may for example comprise one or more holes, formed in the wall separating the dosing chamber from the inside of the bottle. For example, the regulating device may comprise from 1 to 10 holes. This or these holes may for example have a diameter ranging from 0.1 to 8 mm, preferably ranging from 0.4 to 5 mm. The reduced section of such holes generates sufficient friction to prevent the passage of liquid from the dosing chamber to the inside of the bottle and vice versa by the simple effect of gravity. On the other hand, this reduced section of these holes allows the liquid to pass from the dosing chamber to the inside of the bottle and vice versa under the action of a determined pressure, for example measured and calculable, exerted on the wall of the bottle.In another embodiment shown in Figure 17, the regulating device is in the form of a seal comprising a membrane 25 ensuring sealing on its periphery 25a, this membrane 25 having a cutout 26, in the shape of a four-armed cross 26a in the example shown, said cutout 26 ensuring a valve function.

[0086] As appears from all the figures, the dosing cap 1 according to the invention is free of a dip tube. In particular, neither the internal wall 9 nor the regulating device 10 are connected to a dip tube which would extend inside 32 of the bottle 30. With reference to Figure 6A and Figure 14, the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4 is open. It is provided with an external thread 15 and safety notches 18.

[0087] With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the dosing cap 1 comprises means for closing the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4, these closing means being here in the form of an upper cover 16 comprising an internal thread 17 capable of cooperating with the external thread 15 and the safety notches 18 of the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4 in order to form a safety device preventing the unscrewing of the upper cover 16, and therefore the opening of the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4, by children.

[0088] The closing means of the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4 allow a reversible closing of this end 6 in order to be able to allow the opening of the dosing chamber 4 towards the outside, once the liquid 40 is dosed and it is desired to transfer it into a final container for a subsequent treatment operation, for example to constitute a diluted solution for the treatment of a plant. These closing means also allow a hermetic closing of the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4.

[0089] The dosing cap 1, when mounted closed on the neck 33 of the bottle 30, as shown in Figure 5, thus makes it possible to prevent the risks of dispersion in the immediate environment of the bottle 30 of the liquid 40. The dosing cap 1 mounted on the bottle 30 forms a closed assembly free from any device capable of connecting the interior 8 of the dosing chamber 4 or the interior 32 of the bottle 30 with the exterior.

[0090] With reference to Figures 1-9, the dosing cap 1 also comprises a protective device 20, located in the dosing chamber 4, above the valve 10. As will become more apparent from Figure 15, the protective device 20 is configured to prevent portions of liquid present in a lower portion of the dosing chamber 4 from being projected beyond the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4 when the dosing cap 1 is open and a user inadvertently presses on the wall 31 of the bottle 30. For this purpose, the protective device 20 comprises a transverse wall portion, in the form of a circular wall 21 in the example shown, positioned distally to the opening of the valve 10, and connected to the internal wall 9 by pillars 22 which constitute a supporting structure.In the example shown, the circular wall 21 has a dimension slightly smaller than the external dimensions of the valve 10 in its closed position. The circular wall 21 nevertheless preferably has a dimension larger than the opening of the valve 10. In the example shown, there are five pillars 22. Figures 10 to 12 illustrate examples of protection devices 20 comprising a different number of pillars 22: three pillars 22 for Figure 10, four pillars 22 for Figures 11 and 12. The spaces between the pillars 22 define recesses 23. The recesses 23 extend distally from the inner wall 9.

[0091] The recesses 23 allow the liquid 40 passing through the valve 10 from the interior 32 of the bottle 30 to flow and fill the dosing chamber 4 during the preliminary dosing operations, when the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4 is closed. Thus, the protection device 20 allows the liquid 40 to flow from the interior 32 of the bottle 30 to the dosing chamber 4, and vice versa. Furthermore, the fact that the recesses 23 extend distally from the internal wall 9 of the dosing chamber 4 ensures the total emptying of the dosing chamber 4 to the interior 32 of the bottle 30 if necessary.

[0092] In Figures 8 to 12, the pillars 22 are regularly spaced from each other. This makes it possible to smooth the flow of the liquid 40 from the interior 32 of the bottle 30 to the dosing chamber 4 and vice versa.

[0093] With reference to Figure 13, the recesses 23 are confined in a determined angular section of the periphery of the protection device 20. Such an embodiment makes it possible to ensure that the drops of liquid which pass from the inside of the bottle towards the dosing chamber during the adjustment of the dose or the drops of liquid likely to be projected after the final transfer phase are confined in a specific angular section of the dosing chamber 4. It is then possible to provide dosing assistance graduations on the transparent wall of the dosing chamber 4 without risking that the latter are soiled by the projected drops, by locating these graduations opposite the determined angular section in which the recesses 23 are confined.

[0094] In one embodiment shown in Figure 16, the circular wall 21 is provided with a peripheral rim 24 extending in the proximal direction. This embodiment makes it possible to store a small quantity of liquid 40c, for example from 1 ml to 5 ml, which would escape from the bottle 30, for example due to a leak in the valve 10 or during an error in handling the bottle 30, when the latter is turned upside down, with the neck 33 directed downwards, and the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4 is open. The presence of the pillars 22 (see for example Figure 11) and the peripheral rim 24 (see Figure 16) allows the user who has accidentally pressed on the bottle 30 with the neck 33 pointing downwards to have a minimum of time to react and prevent a leak of liquid into the external environment, by putting the bottle 33 back in the right place for example.Indeed, part of the liquid can be retained by the peripheral rim 24 and / or deflected towards the walls of the metering chamber 4. This is all the more true when the recesses 23 are confined as shown in Figure 13.

[0095] The protective device 20 may be made of a material chosen from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA), polyamide (PA), polyether terephthalate (PET), and mixtures thereof.

[0096] The protective device 20, like the bottle 30 and all of the parts forming the dosing cap 1, can for example be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Such a material has flexibility and natural resistance to chemicals. Furthermore, this material can be treated by fluorination. This surface treatment makes it possible to increase the natural barrier properties of the polyethylene. Such a treatment contributes to reducing the risks of migration of the liquid 40, or its vapors, from the inside of the bottle 30 or the dosing chamber 4, to the outside.

[0097] Figure 15 illustrates the bottle 30 and the dosing cap 1 of Figure 6B when the dose of liquid 40, which has been previously adjusted within the dosing chamber 4, has been transferred into a final container (not shown). In order to transfer this dose, as described above, the upper cover 16 has been removed and the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4 is opened. Once the dose of liquid has been transferred into the final container, the user places the bottle 30 upright on a flat surface, with the neck 33 upwards. It may then happen that the user accidentally presses on the wall 31 of the bottle 30 before having had time to close the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4: this is what is represented by the arrows P in Figure 15.In such a case, the pressure differential between the interior 32 of the bottle 30 and the interior 8 of the dosing chamber 4, combined in the example shown with the high deformability of the elastomer valve 10, causes the sudden opening of this valve 10. Drops of liquid which were present in the lower part of the dosing chamber, for example at the level of the lower end 5 of the dosing chamber 4, or which were present on the valve 10, can then be projected towards the upper part of the dosing chamber 4, while the upper end 6 of the latter is open.

[0098] As shown in Figure 15, in such a situation, the protective device 20 of the dosing cap 1 according to the invention makes it possible to prevent such drops of liquid from being projected towards the user or his environment. Indeed, thanks to the presence of the circular wall 21, positioned distally to the valve 10 and to the opening of the latter, the drops of liquid projected in the distal direction, such as the drop 40b shown in Figure 15, are stopped by the circular wall 21 and are prevented from reaching the upper end 6 of the dosing chamber 4.Furthermore, among the drops of liquid which are projected in a direction forming an angle with the distal direction, some will be directly stopped early in their course by the pillars 22, and those which will pass through the recesses 23 will be stopped by the cylindrical wall 7 of the dosing chamber 4 well before reaching the upper end of the latter, like the drop 40a of Figure 15.

[0099] Thus, thanks to the protection device 20 of the dosing cap 1 according to the invention, incorrect handling of the bottle 30 after the phase of transferring the dosed liquid into the final container does not entail any risk of drops of liquid being projected beyond the dosing chamber and towards the user and their environment as may be the case with a bottle equipped with a conventional dosing cap as shown in Figure 3.

[0100] Thus, the final phase of transfer of the dosed liquid is perfectly secured with the dosing cap 1 according to the invention.

[0101] The measuring cap according to the invention thus makes it possible both to carry out the precise measuring of a liquid, in particular a concentrated liquid, without risk of contact with the user when this measuring cap is hermetically closed, and to prevent any risk of contact with the user and their environment in situations where this measuring cap is open.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A dosing cap (1) without a dip tube, intended to be mounted on the neck (33) of a bottle (30) formed of a wall (31) capable of being deformed under the effect of external pressure, said wall (31) defining an interior (32) of said bottle (30), in which a liquid (40) is contained, said dosing cap (1) comprising: Mounting means (2, 3) for the dosing cap (1) to said neck (33), said mounting means being configured to ensure a hermetic connection of the dosing cap to the neck, A dosing chamber (4) comprising a lower end (5) and an upper end (6), o Said lower end (5) being intended to be positioned opposite the liquid (40) contained inside (32) of said bottle (30) when the dosing cap (1) is mounted on said neck (33), said lower end (5) comprising an internal wall (9) separating the dosing chamber (4) from the inside (32) of the bottle (30), said internal wall (9) being provided with a regulating device (10) configured to block the passage of said liquid (40) from the inside (32) of the bottle (30) to the dosing chamber (4) and from the dosing chamber (4) to the inside (32) of the bottle (30) under the simple effect of gravity, in the absence of stress exerted on the wall (31) of the bottle (30),and to allow the passage of liquid (40) and gas from the inside (32) of the bottle (30) to the dosing chamber (4) and from the dosing chamber (4) to the bottle (30) under the action of a determined pressure exerted on the wall (31) of the bottle (30), o Said upper end (6) being open, Closure means (16) for the upper end (6) of the dosing chamber (4), adapted to be removably fixed to said upper end (6) and configured to ensure a hermetic closure of said upper end (6) with respect to the external environment when fixed to said upper end (6), said dosing cap (1) being characterized in that it further comprises: a protective device (20) located in the dosing chamber (4) above the regulating device, said protective device being configured to prevent portions of liquid (40, 40a, 40b) originating from a lower portion of the dosing chamber or the regulating device (10) from being projected, under the action of pressure exerted on the wall (31) of the bottle (30) in the absence of the closing means (16) of the upper end (6) of the dosing chamber (4), beyond said upper end (6) of the dosing chamber (4).

2. Dosing cap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the protection device (20) comprises a portion of transverse wall (21), located opposite the regulating device (10) and distal to this regulating device (10), and a load-bearing structure (22) connecting said portion of transverse wall to said internal wall (9), said load-bearing structure comprising at least one recess (23).

3. Dosing cap (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said supporting structure comprises a plurality of recesses (23), said recesses (23) being separated from each other by a plurality of pillars (22) extending from said portion of transverse wall (21) to said internal wall (9), distributed along the perimeter of said portion of transverse wall (21).

4. Dosing cap (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said recesses (23) and said pillars (22) are regularly spaced along the perimeter of said portion of transverse wall (21).

5. Dosing cap (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the said recess(s) (23) are confined in a determined angular section of the periphery of the supporting structure, for example in an angular section ranging from 0 to 180° of the periphery of the supporting structure.

6. Dosing cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing chamber (4) is delimited by a transparent (7) or translucent cylindrical wall provided with dosing aid graduations.

7. Dosing cap (1) according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said graduations are located in an angular section of the transparent cylindrical wall (7) diametrically opposite said determined angular section.

8. Dosing cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protective device (20) is configured to store a quantity of liquid from 1 ml to 5 ml in an inverted position of the dosing cap (1).

9. Dosing cap (1) according to claims 2 and 8, characterized in that said portion of transverse wall (21) is provided with a proximal peripheral rim (24) capable of containing said quantity of liquid on a proximal face of said portion of transverse wall (21).

10. Dosing cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said regulating device comprises an elastomer valve (10).

11. A dosing cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said regulating device comprises one or more holes having a diameter ranging from 0.1 to 8 mm, formed in the inner wall separating the dosing chamber from the interior of the bottle.

12. A dosing cap according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the regulating device comprises a sealing gasket equipped with a valve system.

13. Dosing cap (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that at least one of said recesses (23) extends distally from said inner wall.

14. Dosing cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting means (2, 3) are configured to ensure an irreversible connection of the dosing cap (1) to the neck (33).

15. Bottle (30) comprising a neck (33) and formed of a wall (31) capable of being deformed under the effect of an external pressure, said wall (31) defining an interior (32) of said bottle (30), in which is contained a liquid (40), characterized in that a dosing cap (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 is mounted on said neck (33) according to a hermetic, and preferably irreversible, connection, by means of said mounting means (2,3).

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