Capping device for containing a substance

Abstract

The present finding relates to a capping device (1) that can be fixed to close a mouth (2) of a container (3), comprising: a capsule (4), hollow, provided with means of removable attachment (7) to such mouth (2), comprising a reservoir (5) suitable for containing a first substance and for keeping the same separated, through the base (6) of such reservoir (5), from a second substance contained in the container (3), until the moment of use; breaking means (11, 16, 21) of such base (6) of such reservoir (5), which can be operated by pressure from the outside of the capsule (4) to cause the breaking and consequent opening of the base (6); a closing seal (22), permanently fixable to the container (3), removably connected to the lower edge (24) of the capsule (4) by means of conjunction elements (23) configured to break if subjected to a predetermined mechanical stress of an extent equal to or greater than a predetermined minimum threshold; the closing seal (22) is permanently connected to the capsule (4) by means of a flexible connecting element (25) configured not to break if subjected to such predetermined mechanical stress, of an extent equal to the predetermined minimum threshold.

Description

[0001] The present finding relates to a capping device suitable for containing a first substance, which can be applied to cap the mouth of a container in which a second substance is contained, being intended to be mixed, inside the container itself, only at the moment of its use, with the first substance previously contained in the capping device.

[0002] Capping devices of this type are used in numerous sectors, starting with the pharmaceutical sector, in which there are many drugs that must be prepared only at the moment of their use by mixing two substances previously kept separated; other sectors in which such capping devices are used are the food sector, the cosmetic sector, the trichological sector, the dietary supplement sector, the nutraceutical sector, etc.

[0003] A capping device of this type is shown, for example, in Italian patent no. 102004901234336, which describes a closing device with a chamber for a container, comprising a capsule, hollow, provided with means of attachment to such container, such capsule comprising a reservoir in which a first substance is contained, to be kept separated from a second substance contained in such container until the moment of use, and breaking means of the base of the reservoir which can be operated by pressure from the top of the capsule.

[0004] Another capping device of this type is shown, for example, in Italian patent no. 102018000010680, which describes a capping device that is applied to a bottle, comprising a cylindrical portion, internally hollow, that is associated with the entrance of the bottle, a concave upper portion that forms a cavity therein to contain a first substance to be mixed with a second substance present in the bottle, a closing element that closes the cavity at the bottom, keeping the first substance in the cavity protected from external agents; the concave portion is made of a flexible material, so that, when pressed, it pushes the contents of the cavity against the lower closing element, shattering it and allowing the first substance to fall into the bottle.

[0005] Although such known solutions have several advantages, they still have some areas for improvement.

[0006] Indeed, such capping elements, having typically rather small dimensions, have the risk, once used and separated from the respective container, of being ingested by children or animals, with consequent risk of choking and / or damaging the respiratory and / or digestive system of those who ingest them.

[0007] The main task of the present finding is to overcome the above-mentioned drawback, and in particular to obtain a capping device suitable for containing a substance, applicable to close a container, which has a reduced risk of being ingested, for example by children or animals, once used.

[0008] In the scope of such task, an object of the finding is to obtain a capping device that allows for easy opening of the container to which it is applied.

[0009] The above-mentioned task and object are achieved by a capping device of a container as in claim 1.

[0010] Other advantageous features of the finding are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0011] The features and advantages of the present finding will become more apparent from the following exemplary and not limiting description, referred to the attached schematic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a capping device according to the finding; Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 1; Figures 4 to 7 are perspective views of a detail of a container with the capping device of Figure 1 applied, in different steps of its use; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a capping device according to the finding; Figure 9 is an enlarged detail of Figure 8; Figure 10 is an exploded view of the device of Figure 9; Figures 11 to 14 are perspective views of a detail of a container with the capping device of Figure 8 applied, in different steps of its use.

[0012] With reference to the attached figures, number 1 generally indicates a capping device 1 that can be fixed to close a mouth 2 of a container 3.

[0013] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example those illustrated in the attached figures, the mouth 2 has a cylindrical shape; other shapes, for example parallelepipedal or prismatic, are however contemplated in the finding.

[0014] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example those illustrated in the attached figures, the container 3 has a cylindrical shape; other shapes, for example parallelepipedal or prismatic, are also contemplated in the finding.

[0015] The device 1 comprises a capsule 4, hollow, comprising a reservoir 5 suitable for containing a first substance (e.g., a powder, a liquid, a granulate, or other substances, preferably mixable with a liquid) and to keep such first substance separated, by means of the base 6 of such reservoir 5, from a second substance (e.g., a liquid) contained in the container 3, until the moment of use (i.e., when the container 3 is to be opened and the mixture of the first and second substances is to be consumed).

[0016] According to the finding, the device 1 comprises breaking means for the base 6 of the reservoir 5, which can be operated by pressure from the outside of the capsule 4 to cause the breaking and consequent opening of the base 6. Advantageous embodiments of such breaking means will be described below.

[0017] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in the attached figures, the capsule 4, the reservoir 5, and the breaking means are made of a single piece, i.e., a single body, for example in plastic material.

[0018] In other advantageous embodiments, not illustrated, the capsule 4, the reservoir 5, and the breaking means are made as separate pieces assembled together.

[0019] In advantageous embodiments, such as those illustrated in the attached figures, the capsule 4 has a circular shape in plan, so that it can be coupled with a cylindrical mouth 2.

[0020] Other plan shapes of the capsule 4 (e.g., square, polygonal, etc.) are however contemplated in the finding, as long as they allow the capsule 4 to be coupled with the mouth 2 so as to hermetically close it.

[0021] According to the finding, the capsule 4 is provided with means of removable attachment to the mouth 2 of the container 3; in advantageous embodiments, such as those illustrated in the attached figures, wherein the capsule 4 has a circular shape in plan, so that it can be fixed to a cylindrical mouth 2, such means of removable attachment can advantageously comprise a first thread 7, protruding from the internal surface 8 of the capsule 4 and which can be screwed onto a corresponding second thread 9 protruding from the outer surface 10 of the mouth 2.

[0022] In other advantageous embodiments, not illustrated, the means of removable attachment to the mouth 2 of the container 3 can be or comprise means of removable attachment by pressure-fit, snap-fit, bayonet coupling, or other equivalent closing principles that still ensure hermetic sealing.

[0023] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example those illustrated in the attached figures, the capsule 4 comprises an upper portion 11, hollow, which defines the reservoir 5 therein; advantageously, the capsule 4 has a lower portion 12, with a greater plan extension than the upper portion 11, provided with the means of removable attachment to the mouth 2 of the container 3.

[0024] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example those illustrated in the attached figures, the lower portion 12 comprises, on its external surface, a plurality of ribs and / or recesses, preferably arranged substantially vertically, suitable for facilitating the handling of the device 1 during operations of opening and closing the container 2.

[0025] Advantageously, the lower portion 12 has a cylindrical shape, so that it can be coupled to a cylindrical mouth 2.

[0026] Other shapes of the lower portion 12 (e.g., square, polygonal, etc.) are however contemplated in the finding, as long as they allow such lower portion 12 to be fixed to the mouth 2 so as to hermetically close it.

[0027] In the advantageous case where the lower portion 12 is cylindrical, advantageously, on the internal surface 8 of such lower portion 12 of the capsule 4, a first thread 7 can be provided, which can be screwed onto a corresponding second thread 9 protruding from the outer surface 10 of the mouth 2 (which, in this advantageous embodiment, is in turn cylindrical).

[0028] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the base 6 of the reservoir 5 is made by a membrane 13 fixed (preferably welded) to an edge 14 located preferably in the proximity to the junction between the upper 11 and the lower portion 12 of the capsule 4; such membrane 13 is, for example, heat-sealed, induction welded, or glued to such edge 14, and is preferably made of a plastic material coupled with aluminium film.

[0029] Such membrane 13, when the capsule 4 is closed onto the mouth 2 of the container 3, separates the first substance contained in the reservoir 5 from the second substance contained in the container 3.

[0030] If one of the two substances is a water-containing liquid, the membrane 13 prevents any possible water vapor passage therethrough, and therefore avoids undesired pre-mixing between the two substances, which could make the product ineffective at the moment of its use.

[0031] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the junction zone between the upper portion 11 and the lower portion 12 of the capsule determines an annular weakening or pre-fracture sector 15.

[0032] Preferably, the upper portion 11 further comprises a sealing and locking ring 17.

[0033] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the breaking means of the reservoir 5 comprise the upper portion 11 which, if pushed towards the inside of the lower portion 12, presses against the membrane 13, causing it to break and causing the first substance contained in the reservoir 5 to fall by gravity into the container 3, which contains the second substance.

[0034] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the breaking means of the reservoir 5 advantageously comprise at least one fracturing tip 16, advantageously made along the annular weakening sector 15.

[0035] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the breaking means operate as follows: the upper portion 12 preferably has a concave region 18, suitable for promoting a finger pressing thereon, exerting sufficient pressure to cause the fracture of the annular weakening sector 15 and allow insertion of the upper portion 11 into the lower portion 12.

[0036] By exerting such compression on the concave region 18, the end of the upper portion 11 facing the membrane 13, and, if present, the fracturing tip 16, penetrate into the membrane 13, causing it to break almost completely and leading to the fall by gravity of the first substance contained in the reservoir 5 into the container 3, which contains the second substance.

[0037] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the sealing and locking ring 17 allows the upper portion 11 to remain stably inside the lower portion 12, as illustrated for example in Figures 5, 6, and 7, without the possibility of being extracted again.

[0038] In other advantageous embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in Figures 8 to 14, the capsule 4 comprises a lower portion 12, internally hollow, and an upper portion 11, concave and preferably dome-shaped; advantageously, the inside of the upper portion 11 coincides with the reservoir 5. Preferably, though not necessarily, such lower portion 12 and upper portion 11 are obtained in a single body, for example by molding a plastic material such as for example polyethylene (PE), preferably of the so-called "green" type, i.e., obtained from renewable raw material such as for example sugarcane.

[0039] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in Figures 8 to 14, the base 6 of the reservoir 5 is defined by a closing element 19, which closes the lower portion 12 from beneath.

[0040] Such closing element 19, which can advantageously be an impermeable film made, for example, of polylaminate (e.g., polyethylene and aluminium), can be coupled to the base of the upper portion 11, thereby closing the same by inserting it inside the device 1 and attaching it, for example by heat sealing.

[0041] In advantageous embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in Figures 8 to 14, wherein the lower portion 12 of the capsule 4 has a cylindrical shape and the upper portion 11 a dome shape, the closing element 19 can be, for example, a disc whose peripheral edge is heat-sealed to an annular edge 20, which is formed due to the diameter of the upper portion 11 being slightly smaller than the diameter of the lower portion 12; in this case, the difference between the two diameters forms such annular edge 20 both inside and outside the device 1.

[0042] Below the closing element 19, an annular gasket, not illustrated, can advantageously be provided, suitable for being positioned between the device 1 and the mouth 2 of the container 3, to ensure the sealing of the closure performed by the device 1.

[0043] In advantageous embodiments, such as that illustrated in Figures 8 to 14, the upper portion 11 (and, in the advantageous case wherein the upper portion 11 and the lower portion 12 are made in a single body, also the lower portion 12) is made of a flexible material such that, when pressed, it squeezes the contents of the reservoir 5 against the base 6 (in this case the closing element 19) of the reservoir 5, shattering it and causing the first substance to fall into the container 3; in such advantageous embodiments, therefore, the breaking means of the base 6 of the reservoir 5 comprise the upper portion 11.

[0044] In advantageous embodiments, such as that illustrated in Figures 8 to 14, the breaking means preferably also comprise a punch 21 (pointed and preferably cross-shaped), preferably made in a single body with the top of the upper portion 11, facing the base 6 of the reservoir 5; when the upper portion 11 is pressed towards the bottom 6, such punch 21 penetrates such bottom 6, facilitating its fracture.

[0045] According to the finding, the device 1 further comprises a closing seal 22, permanently fixable to a container 3, advantageously to the mouth 2 thereof (e.g., press-fitted and / or thermally deformed onto the mouth 2), which is removably connected to the lower edge 24 of the capsule 4 by means of conjunction elements 23, configured to break if subjected to a predetermined mechanical stress (e.g., a rotation, torsion, etc.) of an extent equal to or greater than a prefixed minimum threshold.

[0046] In advantageous embodiments, such as those illustrated in the attached figures, wherein the capsule 4 and the closing seal 22 have a circular shape in plan, so that they can be fixed to a cylindrical mouth 2 of a container 3, the conjunction elements 23 are advantageously configured to break if a torque of extent equal to or greater than a prefixed minimum threshold acts between the capsule 4 and the closing seal 22.

[0047] Such conjunction elements 23 can be, for example, small tabs, preferably with a laminar conformation, that connect the closing seal 22 to the lower edge 24 of the capsule 4 to each other.

[0048] Advantageously, the conjunction elements 23 are distributed spaced apart (preferably equally spaced) along the closing seal 22.

[0049] Advantageously, the closing seal 22, the conjunction elements 23, and the capsule 4 are obtained in a single body, for example by molding a plastic material such as for example polyethylene (PE), preferably of the so-called "green" type, i.e., obtained from renewable raw material such as for example sugarcane.

[0050] According to the finding, the closing seal 22 is permanently connected to the capsule 4 by means of a flexible connecting element 25 (e.g., a flexible band or tab), configured not to break if subjected to the same predetermined mechanical stress (e.g., rotation, torsion, or twisting) of minimum threshold value that causes the conjunction elements 23 to break; therefore, it is possible, by applying the minimum threshold value of such mechanical stress simultaneously to the conjunction elements 23 and the flexible connecting element 25, to break the conjunction elements 23 (which allows the mouth 2 to be opened), while keeping the capsule 4 attached to the closing seal 22, and therefore to the container 3, by means of the flexible connecting element 25.

[0051] Advantageously, the capsule 4, the closing seal 22, the conjunction elements 23, and the flexible connecting element 25 can be obtained in a single body, for example by molding a plastic material such as for example polyethylene (PE), preferably of the so-called "green" type, i.e., obtained from renewable raw material such as for example sugarcane.

[0052] Advantageously, the flexible connecting element 25 can have a shape similar to that of the conjunction elements 23, but with greater thickness and / or width, so that it can withstand, without breaking, mechanical stresses that would otherwise cause such conjunction elements 23 to break.

[0053] In advantageous embodiments, such as those illustrated in the attached figures, the flexible connecting element 25 has a laminar conformation, with a central section 26 extending from the closing seal 22 to the lower edge 24 of the capsule 4, having a greater thickness than two lateral regions 27 of such flexible connecting element 25.

[0054] Such specific shape of the flexible connecting element 25, and in particular its central section 26 with increased thickness, not only ensures that the flexible connecting element 25 has greater mechanical resistance than the conjunction elements 23, but also allows, after the breaking of the conjunction elements 23, the capsule 4 to be initially rotated by one hundred and eighty degrees around a first horizontal rotation axis 100 passing through the flexible connecting element 25 (as shown, for example, in Figures 6 and 13), so as to open the mouth 2 of the container 3, and then such capsule 4 to be further rotated around a second horizontal rotation axis 200, perpendicular to the first horizontal rotation axis 100 and passing through the flexible connecting element 25 (as shown, for example, in Figures 7 and 14), such as to prevent the capsule 4 from rotating back by gravity in the closing direction of the mouth 2 when the container 3 is tilted to pour or consume the mixture contained therein directly from the mouth 2.

[0055] In advantageous embodiments, such as those illustrated in the attached figures, the flexible connecting element 25 has, in correspondence with its central section 26, a ridge 28 which extends perpendicularly from the lower edge 24 of the capsule 4.

[0056] In advantageous embodiments, such as those illustrated in the attached Figures 8 to 14, the flexible connecting element 25 has two lateral edges 29 that are inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the lower edge 24 of the capsule 4; such lateral edges 29 promote the rotation of the capsule 4 around the second horizontal rotation axis 200.

[0057] The procedure for using a device 1 according to the finding will now be described.

[0058] Such capping device 1, containing a desired first substance in its reservoir 5, is fixed, for example inside a production facility, to close the mouth 2 of a container 3 containing a second substance that is to be mixed, in a desired moment, e.g., just before its consume, with the first substance.

[0059] At the time of use, therefore, by exerting a pressure to the outside of the capsule 4 (for example, in advantageous embodiments such as those illustrated in the attached figures, on portion 11 of the same), the breaking means are activated and the base 6 of the reservoir 5 is broken, causing the first substance to fall by gravity into the second substance contained in the container 3; at this point, by shaking the container 3, the first and second substances are mixed, and the resulting mixture is ready to be poured or consumed directly from the mouth 2.

[0060] By applying a predetermined mechanical action, for example a rotation, to the capsule 4, a predetermined mechanical stress, such as a torsion, can be applied to the conjunction elements 23; if the extent of such mechanical stress is equal to or greater than a minimum threshold value, which essentially depends on the shape of the conjunction elements 23, their number, and the material they are made of, such conjunction elements 23 break, and the capsule 4 can be moved, for example rotated, until the mouth 2 is opened.

[0061] In such a condition, the flexible connecting element 25 does not break and therefore keeps the capsule 4 permanently fixed to the closing seal 22, which in turn is permanently fixed to the container 3; in this way, the risk that the device 1 can be separated from the container 3 and ingested, for example by a child or an animal, is extremely reduced.

[0062] In the advantageous case where the central section 26 of the flexible connecting element 25 has an increased thickness, the capsule 4 can be rotated as shown, for example, in Figures 7 and 14, such as to prevent it from rotating by gravity in the closing direction of the mouth 2 when the container 3 is tilted to pour, or to consume directly from its mouth 2, the mixture contained therein.

[0063] It has thus been found that the capping device according to the finding achieves the above-described task and object.

[0064] Indeed, due to the flexible connecting element, the device according to the finding remains attached to the container even after dispensing the mixture contained therein, which greatly reduces the risk that the device, or part of it, can be ingested, for example by a child or an animal, after use.

[0065] Furthermore, the flexible connecting element, while keeping the device permanently fixed to the container after use, allows for easy and quick opening of the same.

[0066] Also, in the advantageous embodiment wherein the flexible connecting element has the central section with increased thickness, it is possible to rotate the capsule, once opened (and thus rotated with respect to the first horizontal rotation axis), also with respect to the second horizontal rotation axis, so as to bring it into a position that prevents, or at least limits, the rotation of the same, due to gravity, in the closing direction of the mouth (a rotation that would prevent access to the latter) when the container is tilted to pour or consume directly from its mouth the mixture contained therein, which improves the ergonomics of the container-device system.

[0067] It is finally clear that the capping device according to the finding is susceptible to numerous modifications or variants, all falling within the finding; furthermore, all details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements without departing from the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1. Capping device (1) that can be fixed to close a mouth (2) of a container (3), comprising: - a capsule (4), hollow, provided with means of removable attachment (7) to said mouth (2), comprising a reservoir (5) suitable for containing a first substance and for keeping the same separated, by means of the base (6) of said reservoir (5), from a second substance contained in said container (3), until the moment of use; - breaking means (11, 16, 21) of said base (6) of said reservoir (5), which can be operated by pressure from the outside of said capsule (4) to cause the breaking and consequent opening of said base (6); - a closing seal (22), permanently fixable to said container (3), removably connected to the lower edge (24) of said capsule (4) by means of conjunction elements (23) configured to break if subjected to a predetermined mechanical stress, of an extent equal to or greater than a predetermined minimum threshold; characterized in that said closing seal (22) is permanently connected to said capsule (4) by means of a flexible connecting element (25) configured not to break if subjected to said predetermined mechanical stress, of an extent equal to said predetermined minimum threshold.

2. Device (1) as in claim 1, wherein said flexible connecting element (25) has a laminar conformation, with a central section (26) having a thickness greater than two lateral regions (27) of said flexible connecting element (25).

3. Device (1) as in claim 2, wherein said central section (26) extends from said closing seal (22) to said lower edge (24) of said capsule (4).

4. Device (1) as in claim 2 or 3, wherein said flexible connecting element (25) has, in correspondence with said central section (26), a ridge (28) which extends perpendicularly to said lower edge (24) of said capsule (4).

5. Device (1), as in a previous claim, wherein said flexible connecting element (25) has two lateral edges (29) which are inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to said lower edge (24) of said capsule (4).

6. Device (1), as in a previous claim, wherein said capsule (4), said closing seal (22), said conjunction elements (23) and said flexible connecting element (25) are obtained in a single body.

7. Device (1), as in a previous claim, wherein said capsule (4) and said closing seal (22), have a circular shape in plan, so that they can be fixed to a cylindrical mouth (2) of a container (3).

8. Device (1), as in claim 7, wherein said conjunction elements (23) are configured to break if a torque greater than a predetermined extent acts between said capsule (4) and said closing seal (22).

9. Device (1), as in claim 7 or 8, wherein said means of removable attachment (7) comprise a first thread (7) protruding from the internal surface (8) of said capsule (4), which can be screwed onto a corresponding second thread (9) protruding from the external surface (10) of the cylindrical mouth (2) of a container (3) to be closed with said device (1).

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