Doser cap for bottles

Abstract

A doser cap for bottles comprising a body-base, a membrane breaking organ that is stably and fixedly arranged inside the body-base, a doser casing that contains a powdered active substance and is mounted so as to be axially movable along an axis inside the body-base towards a discharge position, in which a closing membrane of the doser casing is broken by the breaking organ to discharge the powdered active substance, and a tethered bottle closing lid coupled to the body-base and an actuating mechanism that axially moves the doser casing to the discharge position when the lid is rotated around the axis in a predetermined direction.

Description

[0001] "DOSER CAP FOR BOTTLES"

[0002] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102024000020599 filed on September 16 , 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] Technical Field

[0005] The invention relates to a doser cap for bottles and to a bottle comprising a doser cap .

[0006] The invention relates , in particular, to a doser cap that is structured so as to remain permanently bound, namely attached, to a bottle and comprises an inner doser casing, which contains a powdered active substance and, during the first opening of the doser cap, is automatically opened to pour the active substance into the liquid beverage present in the bottle so as to obtain a liquid mixture for food use consisting of the liquid beverage added with the poured active substance ; to which the description below will make explicit reference without for this reason lacking generality .

[0007] Background of the Invention

[0008] As it is known, in recent years , the consumption of so-called additive food beverages , i . e . beverages containing active substances , such as , for example , substances based on : probiotics , vitamins , proteins , antioxidants or plant additives and the like , has become very widespread, especially in the sports and / or wellness industry .

[0009] In the past, the aforesaid additive food beverages were produced and marketed in a completely liquid form, namely already mixed with the active substances in prepackaged bottles for beverages .

[0010] A technical problem of fully liquid additive food beverages , namely beverages mixed during production, lies in the fact that the contact of the active substances with the liquid exposes them to degradation over time , thus af fecting the ef fects of the substance in the beverage . It often happened, therefore , that at the time of consumption of the additive beverage by the user, the active substance was partially or completely degraded, with the consequence of reducing or nulli fying the ef fect of the substance requested by the user .

[0011] In order to overcome this technical problem, solutions have been devised, which involve using so-called "doser" caps , which are speci fically structured to keep the powdered active substance stored therein separately from a liquid base beverage contained in the pre-packaged bottle and to then pour the powdered active substance into the base beverage in order to subsequently mix them upon first use of the bottle by the user .

[0012] Some doser caps are coupled to the neck of the bottle body containing the base beverage and are structured so as to contain a given amount of powdered active substance inside a chamber that is separate from the liquid beverage contained in the bottle body . The cap is generally structured so as to cause the opening of the chamber and the pouring of the powdered active substance into the liquid beverage of the underlying bottle body .

[0013] A technical problem of doser caps lies in the fact that they are unsuitable for keeping all the components making them up "tethered" to the neck of the bottle .

[0014] As a matter of fact , some doser caps are generally provided with a thin frangible membrane ( foil ) for containing and separating the active substance and with a breaking organ movably mounted on the cap, which is axially moved by the user through a manual pressure from the top to the bottom to break the underlying membrane and cause the powdered active substance to be poured into the base beverage .

[0015] In some known solutions , the breaking organ comprises a vertical , axially movable rod, which partially protrudes above the cap with an outer activation segment , which, in use , is pressed downwards by the user to open the underlying frangible membrane .

[0016] In the bottle manufacturing phase , the manually operated outer segment , for its is an element intended, in use , to come into contact with the beverage , is subj ected to sterili zation and protected by means of a removable cap fitted on the doser cap so as to cover and keep the sterili zation condition of the outer segment intact .

[0017] The need to use the additional protective cap in the doser cap is particularly inconvenient as it increases the complexity of the doser cap and the costs for manufacturing and assembling it , also in consideration of the regulations that provide for maintaining all the components of the cap tethered to the neck of the bottle .

[0018] The thin frangible membrane of known caps is also particularly exposed to damage and breakage , especially during transport operations and / or the assembly of the cap on the bottle .

[0019] Furthermore , in use , the membrane , when opened by the breaking organ, tends to prevent the powdered substance from being completely discharged into the base beverage , inconveniently maintaining a residual part thereof .

[0020] Since , in known caps , the membrane is housed along the duct of the cap along which, in use , the additive beverage flows , it often occurs that powdered residues of the active substance are dragged along and then drunk by the user in an unmixed condition, resulting in an unpleasant feeling for users .

[0021] Therefore , the Applicant carried out an in-depth study aimed at identi fying a tethered doser cap that solves at least the technical problems described above .

[0022] Summary of the Invention

[0023] The obj ect of the invention is to provide a solution that is capable of reaching at least the aim indicated above .

[0024] This obj ect is reached by the invention, as it relates to a doser cap tethered to a bottle as set forth in the appended claims .

[0025] The appended claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention and form an integral part of the description .

[0026] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] The invention wi ll now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings showing a non- limiting embodiment thereof , wherein :

[0028] Figure 1 shows a perspective view, with parts removed for greater clarity, of a tethered doser cap according to the invention, - Figures 2 , 3 and 4 show three perspective views of the closed doser cap according to the invention,

[0029] - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the open doser cap according to the invention,

[0030] - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a body-base of the doser cap according to the invention,

[0031] - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a body-base of the doser cap with sectional parts and parts removed for greater clarity,

[0032] - Figure 8 is a perspective view of a doser casing of the doser cap according to the invention,

[0033] - Figure 9 shows a doser casing of the doser cap shown in Figure 4 with sectional parts and parts removed for greater clarity,

[0034] - Figure 10 shows a doser casing of the doser cap shown in Figure 4 with sectional parts and parts removed for greater clarity,

[0035] - Figure 11 shows a doser casing of the doser cap shown in Figure 4 with sectional parts and parts removed for greater clarity,

[0036] - Figure 12 is a vertical section of the closed doser cap in a rest position,

[0037] - Figure 13 is a vertical section of the closed doser cap during the rotation of the lid,

[0038] - Figure 14 is a vertical section of the doser cap in the discharge position with the lid closed,

[0039] - Figure 15 is a vertical section of the doser cap in the discharge position with the lid open .

[0040] Description of Embodiments of the Invention

[0041] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures , so as to allow a person skilled in the art to carry it out and use it . Possible changes to the embodiments described herein will immediately be evident to skilled people and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without for this reason going beyond the scope of protection of the invention as it is defined in the appended claims .

[0042] Therefore , the invention cannot be considered as limited to the embodiments described and shown herein, but it has to be as sociated with the widest scope of protection possible in accordance with the principles and the features described and claimed herein . In the discussion that follows , the terms "upper" , " lower" , "outer" and " inner" represent positions of components referring to the attached Figures .

[0043] With reference to Figure 1 , number 1 shows , as a whole , a bottle . The bottle 1 comprises a containing body 3 structured to contain, in use , a base beverage BB and, on top of it , a cylindrical tubular body defining a neck 2 j oined to the containing body 3 below .

[0044] The bottle 1 further comprises a doser cap 4 , which contains a powdered active substance SA and is structured so as to pour / discharge , in response to a manual command, the powdered active substance SA into the liquid base beverage BB contained in the containing body 3 below ( in the manner described in detail below) .

[0045] The bottle 1 is structured so that , when the doser cap 4 is intact (not yet activated / not yet opened) , it contains the powdered active substance SA separated from the liquid base beverage BB .

[0046] As described in detail below, during the first opening of the doser cap 4 , the powdered active substance SA is automatically discharged and poured (by gravity) from the doser cap 4 into the underlying liquid base beverage BB . Following the discharge of the powdered active substance SA, the user performs a shaking of the bottle 1 to mix the liquid base beverage BB with the powdered active substance SA so as to obtain a final additive liquid beverage .

[0047] According to a possible embodiment , the liquid base beverage BB can comprise , for example , a beverage belonging to the category of energy drinks , preferably for sports use . The liquid base beverage BB can contain, for example , natural mineral water, sugar, mineral salts and the like . The mineral salts can comprise , for example : sodium chloride , potassium phosphate , magnesium sulphate and the like .

[0048] The powdered active substance SA can comprise , for example , a powdered substance or a mixture of powdered substances for food use soluble in water . According to a possible embodiment , the powdered active substance SA can be based on : probiotics , vitamins , proteins , antioxidants , mineral salts , plant additives , supplements and any similar substance for food use . The mineral salts can comprise , for example , sodium, potassium, magnesium .

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment , the containing body 3 and the doser cap 4 can preferably be made of a polymer material , for example PET (polyethylene terephthalate ) or any other similar plastic / polymer material . With reference to Figures 2- 15 , the doser cap 4 comprises a body-base 5 , a doser casing 6 , a breaking organ 7 and a tethered cap 8 .

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 6 , the body-base 5 has an elongated tubular shape that extends along a reference axis A. The body-base 5 comprises a first tubular portion ( at the bottom in the attached Figures ) , indicated with tubular portion 9 structured to be coupled to the neck 2 o f the bottle 1 . Conveniently, the tubular portion 9 is structured to be preferably coupled to the neck 2 of the bottle 1 in a non-movable manner .

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 12- 14 , the tubular portion 9 can have , at the bottom, a relief 9a, which circumferentially develops on the inner surface around the axis A and is axially retained in a nonmovable manner under a relief (not shown) , which circumferentially develops on the outer surface of the neck 2 .

[0052] The body-base 5 comprises a second tubular portion ( at the top in the attached Figures ) , indicated hereinafter with tubular portion 10 structured to form the mouthpiece of the doser cap 4 .

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 7 , 11 , 12- 15 , the breaking organ 7 is firmly and fixedly arranged ( in a non-movable manner ) inside the tubular portion 9 of the body-base 5 .

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 9 , 12- 15 , the doser casing 6 is provided with an inner chamber 11 , which contains the powdered active substance SA. The inner chamber 11 is closed at the bottom by a membrane 12 .

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 13- 15 , the doser casing 6 is mounted so as to be axially movable along the axis A inside the body-base 5 , so as to move towards the breaking organ 7 between a rest position ( shown in Figure 12 ) , in which it is arranged so as to have the membrane 12 spaced apart ( along the axis A) from the underlying breaking organ 7 , and a discharge portion ( shown in Figure 14 ) , in which the membrane 12 impacts against the fixed breaking organ 7 and breaks open . The rupture of the membrane 12 determines the opening of the inner chamber 11 and the discharge by gravity, through the broken / open membrane 12 , of the powdered active substance SA into the liquid base beverage BB contained in the containing body 3 .

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 2-5 , 9- 10 , 12- 15 , the tethered lid 8 comprises an annular seal 13 , which is coupled to the tubular portion 10 of the body-base 5 , and a cap 14 , which i s firmly connected to the annular seal 13 by means of a lateral hinge 15 so as to rotate about an axis B transverse to the axis A between a closed position, shown in Figures 2 , 3 and 4 , and an open position, in which the bottle 1 is open, as shown in Figures 5 and 15 . More preferably, the axis B can lie on a plane orthogonal to the axis A.

[0057] The cap 14 has a substantially cylindrical shape that is open at the bottom and comprises a base 19 orthogonal to the axis A and a circular side wall 20 that has the lower peripheral edge separated from the annular seal 13 by a circumferential slit 21 . The tethered lid 8 is provided with frangible bridges 22 , which are arranged in the slit 21 angularly spaced apart from one another around the axis A and connect the cap 14 to the annular seal 13 .

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4- 6 , the tubular portion 10 further has a lower retaining ring 41 , which circumferentially extends around the axis A on the outer surface of its circular wall in the area of the lower peripheral edge and is arranged so as to axially abut on a ring 42 to axially retain the latter and, therefore , the relative lid 8 . The ring 42 , in turn, circumferentially extends on the inner surface of the circular wall of the annular seal 13 in the area of its lower edge . Preferably, the retaining ring 41 is discontinuous and consists of separate segments that delimit , in pairs , openings . The retaining ring 41 is provided with openings that have the technical ef fect of preventing sanitising liquid residues from accumulating in the cap 4 . During the sterili zation phase , the liquid penetrates into the lid 8 of the doser cap 4 through the slit 21 , partially settles therein and is discharged to the outside through the openings .

[0059] The tubular portion 10 further has an intermediate ring 43 , which circumferentially extends around the axis A above the retaining ring 41 and under the mouthpiece and is structured so as to axially retain the tooth 8b of the cap 14 to counter the opening of the cap 14 itsel f .

[0060] According to a possible embodiment , the lid 8 further comprises a closing mechanism 8a . In the example shown in Figures 4 and 5 , the closing mechanism 8a comprises a protruding tab or tooth 8b, which proj ects from the outer surface of the circular wall of the cap 4 and is structured so as to be arranged under the intermediate ring 43 so as to hold the cap 14 closed .

[0061] The intermediate ring 43 is structured so as to have an interrupted segment , which defines an opening 44 , which is structured to allow the tooth 8b of the cap 14 to go through the intermediate ring 43 in the opening 44 itsel f , when the cap 14 , at first , is rotated around the axis A until it reaches a predetermined angular opening position with respect to the body-base 5 and, then, when it reaches this position, it is rotated around the axis B .

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5 , 9 , 10 , 12- 15 , the tethered lid 8 further comprises an actuating mechanism 16 , which is structured so as to axially move the doser casing 6 in the body-base 5 from the rest position ( Figure 12 ) to the discharge position ( Figure 15 ) , when the l id 8 is rotated about the axis A in a predetermined direction DI ( counterclockwise in Figure 4 ) .

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5 , 9 , 10 , 12- 15 , the actuating mechanism 16 comprises one or more semi-circular cam walls 18 . Conveniently, the semicircular cam wall s 18 are coaxial to the axis A and proj ect from the base 19 of the cap 14 so as to protrude into the tubular portion 10 .

[0064] The semi-circular cam walls 18 proj ect from the base 19 of the cap 14 so as to protrude into the tubular portion 10 so as to cause the lower cam edge to rest on the doser casing 6 . The semi-circular cam walls 18 are structured so as to axially move the doser casing 6 along the axis A towards the breaking organ 7 below, when the semi-circular cam wall 18 is rotated by the lid 8 around the axis A in the first predetermined direction DI.

[0065] The doser casing 6 is shaped so as to form a capsule or cartridge with an approximately cylindrical shape, containing the powdered active substance SA (Figures 12- 14) .

[0066] According to an embodiment shown in Figures 5, 8, 9, 12-15, the doser casing 6 comprises an upside-down cup body 24, which has a base wall transverse to the axis A and a circular side wall coaxial to the axis A and has a circular opening 23 at the bottom, closed by the membrane 12.

[0067] The cup body 24 can be made of a polymer material, for example PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or any other similar plastic / polymer material.

[0068] The membrane 12 preferably has a frangible structure and can comprise a thin film or foil made of a metal material, for example an alloy including aluminium and / or a polymer material. More preferably, the membrane 12 can be structured so as to have weakening or breaking lines.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5,7,9, 12-15, the cup body 24 is mounted so as to be axially movable on one or more guides 27 of the body-base 5.

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5,7,9, 12-15, the cup body 24 comprises protruding side portions 25, which project from the circular side wall of the cup body 24 and are housed in respective guides 27 of the body-base 5 so as to slide in them along the axis A.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the protruding side portions 25 comprise two plate-like bodies, which are arranged on a lying plane substantially coplanar to the axis A and extend diametrically opposite one another so as to be engaged with the relative free ends in a sliding manner in two respective guides 27 . In the example shown in Figures 6-7 , 15 and 16 , the guides 27 are arranged on the inner surface of the body-base 5 and each preferably extend along a direction approximately parallel to the axis A.

[0072] In the example shown in Figures 5 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 12 - 15 , the guide 27 comprises two reliefs or ribs that are arranged parallel to the axis A, one immediately next to the other, and delimit between them a straight central groove that houses the end of the protruding s ide portion 25 of the cup body 24 . In the example shown herein, the guide 27 extends on the inner surface of the tubular portion 10 in a position diametrically opposite the other guide 27 .

[0073] With reference to Figures 12 - 15, the inner groove of the guide 27 i s preferably provided with a protruding segment 27a proj ecting towards the axis A and is si zed so as to retain the doser casing 6 lowered to the discharge position . Preferably, the cross section of the protruding segment 27a is configured so as to allow the end of the protruding side portion 25 to axially slide in the guide 27 towards the breaking organ 7 and, vice versa, counter the axial movement in the opposite direction (namely, towards the rest position) when the doser casing 6 has reached the discharge position . More preferably, the protruding segment 27a has a substantially triangular cross section . Even more preferably, the protruding side portion 25 can have a chamfer 25a on the lower side in the area of its end engaged in the guide 27 , which is configured so as to conveniently slide on the upper side of the protruding segment 27a in order to easily move past it so as to allow the doser casing to reach the discharge position . Even more preferably, the protruding side portion 25 can have a rectangular edge on the upper side in the area of its end engaged in the guide 27 , which is configured so as to abut on the lower side of the protruding segment 27a in order to prevent the doser casing 6 from moving to the loading position ( Figure 14 ) .

[0074] According to a possible embodiment , the inner groove of the guide 27 can further be preferably provided with a second protruding segment proj ecting towards the axis A si zed so as to retain the doser casing 6 coupled to the guides 27 in order to prevent it from being accidentally extracted from the body-base , when it is in the rest position . Preferably, the second protruding segment can be arranged in the area of the upper axial end of the guides 27 .

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 12 , the cup body 24 further comprises upper retaining tabs 28 , which proj ect from the upper end of the protruding side portions 25 orthogonally to the lying plane thereof and are each structured so as to rest on an upper end of a relative guide 27 in order to hold the doser casing 6 li fted in the rest position before operating the lid 8 .

[0076] Preferably, as shown in Figure 8 , the upper retaining tab 28 proj ects from the upper side of the protruding side portion 25 orthogonally to the lying plane of the protruding side portion 25 in a direction contrary to the other upper retaining tab 28 and contrary to the direction DI . The upper retaining tabs 28 are structured so as to bend, in use , in order to lie approximately on the lying plane of the protruding side portions 25 when the lid 8 is rotated in the predetermined direction DI . The upper retaining tabs 28 are structured so that , when they are bent , they engage the guides 27 and allow the doser casing 6 to axially move along the axis A.

[0077] With reference to Figures 12 - 15 , the semi-circular cam walls 18 of the actuating device 16 have the cam-shaped lower edge resting against the respective protruding side portions 25 of the cup body 24 .

[0078] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 6- 8 , the semi-circular cam walls 18 proj ect from the inner surface of the base 19 of the cap 14 so as to mechanically interfere with the cup body 24 . In the example shown in Figure 9 , when the doser casing 6 is in the rest position, the semi-circular cam walls 18 peripherally surround the circular side wall of the cup body 24 so as to remain substantially in contact with it in the area of the upper base wall in order to force the cap 14 to remain closed, i . e . preventing it from rotating around the axis B .

[0079] Preferably, the two semi-circular cam walls 18 are contiguous with one another so as to form a central circular tubular seat on the inner surface of the base 3 of the cap 14 , which is coaxial to the axis A and houses the doser casing 6 at the top in its rest position ( Figure 9 ) . More preferably, the circular tubular seat delimited by the two semi-circular cam walls 18 can be si zed so as to have an inner diameter that is rounded down to the outer diameter of the cup body 24 . With reference to Figures 5 , 10 and 15 , the cam edge 18 has a linearly increasing height around the axis A and in the direction DI starting from a minimum height until it reaches a maximum height H . The maximum height H is si zed to cause the maximum axial movement of the doser casing 6 .

[0080] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 2 , 3 , 7 , 11 12- 15 , the breaking organ 7 centrally comprises a punching body 29 with a substantially conical shape coaxial to the axis A. The punching body 29 can comprise a wall with a conical shape , which extends inside the bodybase 5 under the doser casing 6 and has the tip oriented towards the membrane 12 .

[0081] The punching body 29 conveniently has one or more first through openings 30 structured to be crossed by the powdered active substance when the membrane 12 is broken .

[0082] Conveniently, the openings 30 have a shape that progressively widens from the tip of the punching body 29 towards the underlying base of the cone so as to encourage the passage of the powdered active substance SA during the opening of the membrane 12 .

[0083] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 2 , 3 , 7 , 11 12- 15 , the openings 30 have a triangular shape oriented with a vertex facing the tip of the punching body 29 .

[0084] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 7 , 8 , 12- 15 , the breaking organ 7 further comprises a tubular liner 31 , which extends coaxial to the axis A, is interposed between the punching body 29 and the tubular portion 9 and has the lower end circumferentially j oined to the circular edge of the base of the punching body 29 by means of an annular portion 34 .

[0085] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4- 6 , the tubular liner 31 has an inner surface , on which a perimeter edge 35 runs , which delimits the opening 23 of the cup body 24 , when the latter axially moves from the rest position to the unloading position . The lower perimeter edge 35 of the cup body 24 abuts on the annular portion 34 when the doser casing 6 reaches the discharge position .

[0086] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 12- 14 , the tubular liner 31 has a section orthogonal to the circular axis A and delimits , with the circular inner surface of the tubular portion 9 , an inner channel 32 with a circular shape communicating with the underlying containing body 3 .

[0087] With reference to Figures 12- 14 , the tubular liner 31 also has its upper perimeter edge internally connected to the lower circular edge of the tubular portion 10 by means of a series of spokes 36 , which delimit , between them and with the body-base , through openings 36a, which establish a fluid connection between the inner channel 32 and the tubular portion 10 .

[0088] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4- 6 , the annular portion 34 comprises opening flaps 37 , which are arranged along the annular inner edge of the annular portion 34 . The opening flaps 37 are structured so as to cooperate with the cup body 24 to conveniently facilitate the opening of the patches 12a that are formed by the rupture of the membrane 12 towards the inner surface of the cup body 24 . The opening flaps 37 can be perforated, namely they can conveniently have through openings 37a . The through openings 37a have the technical effect of facilitating the discharge of sanitising liquid residues from the doser cap 4 .

[0089] With reference to Figure 7 , the tubular liner 31 can have , on the inner surface , grooves 45 that define discharge channels for the residues of saniti zing liquid . Preferably, the grooves 45 can be arranged angularly spaced apart from one another around the axis A and extend approximately parallel to the axis A. More preferably, the groove 45 can have an upper end adj acent to an opening 36a and a lower end adj acent to the annular portion 34 . Even more preferably, the groove 45 can have a lower end adj acent to the through opening obtained in an opening flap 37 .

[0090] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 11 , the circular wall of the tubular portion 10 is provided with a toothed section 38 , which extends along an arc of a circle on the outer surface of the wall and is coupled to a toothed section 39 , which extends on the inner surface of the circular wall of the lid 8 along a semicircle . The teeth of the toothed section 38 and the teeth of the toothed section 39 are oriented to engage one another so as to counter the rotation of the lid 8 around the axi s A in a direction D2 contrary to the predetermined direction DI .

[0091] Conveniently, the toothed section 38 extends along a segment of a circle of the outer surface of the wal l of the tubular portion 10 in the area of the lower end thereof . Conveniently, the toothed section 39 extends along a semicircle of the inner surface of the circular wal l of the lid 8 . Conveniently, the toothed section 39 extends on the annular inner surface of the annular seal 13 .

[0092] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6 , the tubular portion 10 further has , on the outer surface of the circular wall , a tooth 40 , which is arranged in the area of the end of the intermediate ring 43 next to the opening 44 and is configured so as to interfere with the tooth 8b of the cap 14 during the rotation of the tethered lid 8 around the axis A. In use , the rotation of the tethered lid 8 around the axis A is blocked when the tooth 8b abuts on the tooth 40 .

[0093] According to an advantageous embodiment , the body-base 5 and the lid 8 can be made of a transparent material . According to an advantageous embodiment , the doser casing 6 can be made of a non-transparent material so as to be visible from the outside (by the user ) through the bodybase 5 and / or through the lid 8 . Preferably, the outer surface of the doser casing 6 can be at least partially treated so as to have at least one colour . More preferably, the colour of the doser casing 6 can conveniently be indicative of the powdered active substance SA contained in the doser casing 6 itsel f . Preferably, alternatively and / or in addition, the doser casing 6 can contain symbols and / or icons . The symbols and / or icons can be indicative of the powdered active substance SA contained in the doser casing .

[0094] The doser cap 4 works as follows . Following manufacturing of the bottle 1 and before the use thereof , the tethered lid 8 is closed, namely the frangible bridges 22 are intact and connect the cap 14 to the annular seal 13 , the doser cas ing 6 is in the rest position and contains the powdered active substance SA, the membrane 12 i s intact and closes the opening 23 of the cup body 24 and the containing body 3 contains the liquid base beverage BB .

[0095] In this condition, the cap 14 is locked in the closing position both by the tooth 8b axially retained by the intermediate ring 43 and by the mechanical interference of the doser casing 6 on the semi-circular cam walls 18 . Therefore , the cap 14 cannot be opened and rotated around the axis B . Furthermore , in this condition, the cap 14 cannot be rotated around the axis A in the direction D2 , as this rotation is countered by the toothed sections 38 and 39 .

[0096] Users then rotate the lid 8 in the direction DI allowed by the structure of the toothed sections 38 and 39 until the tooth 8b is arranged against the stop tooth 40 , which interrupts the rotation and, at the same time , axially aligns the tooth 8b with the opening 44 .

[0097] During the rotation, the lid 8 exerts , through the actuating mechanism 16 , a downward thrust upon the doser casing 6 , which moves from the rest position to the discharge position, in which the membrane 12 , by moving, impacts against the breaking organ 7 that is standing still . When the membrane 12 , by moving, abuts on the breaking organ 7 , it meets the punching body 29 , which breaks it , thus opening the cup body 24 . The opening of the cup body 24 causes the powdered active substance to be poured into the containing body 3 below . In particular, the membrane 12 abuts on the punching body 29 and opens into patches 12a, which are dragged down by the cup body 24 and li fted by the opening flaps 37 , which facilitate the opening of the cup body 24 and the discharge of the active substance SA.

[0098] At this stage , the lid 8 is still closed and users can shake the bottle 1 to mix the active substance SA with the liquid base beverage BB .

[0099] After mixing, users can open the lid 14 by separating it from the annular seal 13 . In particular, at this stage , the doser casing 6 is lowered and no longer intercepts the semi-circular cam walls 18 of the cap 14 and the tooth 8b is aligned with the opening 44 and can therefore go through the intermediate ring 43 , thus allowing the cap 14 to freely rotate around the axis A and, hence, the bottle 1 to be opened .

[0100] The advantages o f the doser cap described above are the following .

[0101] First of all , the level of protection of the membrane from accidental breaks and openings is increased . As a matter of fact , the membrane is inside the doser cap and is protected by the breaking organ 7 , which forms a rigid protection wall below it . In particular, during the handling and transport of the cap, the breaking organ protects the inner membrane .

[0102] The complete discharge of the active substance contained in the doser casing is also guaranteed . The movement of the doser casing against the fixed breaking organ increases the ef fectiveness of the breaking and, therefore , of the opening of the membrane . Furthermore , the use of the opening flaps increases the spread of the open patches of the broken membrane , guaranteeing the complete discharge of the active substance .

[0103] In addition, the unpleasant condition experienced by users who have to drink the beverage with residues of substance dragged by the beverage when flowing through the doser casing is reduced . In the solution described above , the doser casing is not crossed by the beverage during drinking . It should be noted that the beverage contained in the containing body flows through the inner channel 32 since , centrally, the cup body, in the discharge position, abuts on the annular portion so as to obstruct the passage of the beverage .

[0104] In addition, the safety of the bottle is increased . As a matter of fact , the doser cap guarantees the retention of the doser casing inside it , thus eliminating the ri sk of it uncoupling itsel f from the body-base and then being swallowed by the user . The guides and the relative protruding segments ensure that the doser casing is trapped from the discharge position .

[0105] In addition, the doser cap is structured to accompany users in the correct execution of the doser cap operating phases . The presence of the toothed sections ensures that users rotate the lid in the correct direction . The presence of the stop tooth and of the opening 44 in the intermediate ring 43 ensures that the cap can be opened only when it has been rotated to the correct angular position, namely only when the doser casing 6 has reached the discharge position . It should be noted that the doser cap is structured so as to prevent the cap from being opened before discharge . In addition, the semi-circular cam walls that extend into the body-base ensure that the lid is not opened when the doser casing is in the rest position . An accidental opening of the cap before discharging the active substance would result in an unpleasant use of the beverage without additives by the user . Furthermore , the environmental impact of the doser cap is reduced as a tethered lid is used .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Doser cap (4) structured to be coupled to a neck of a bottle (1) containing a beverage for food use, the doser cap (4) comprises: a body-base (5) of elongated tubular shape, extending along a first axis (A) and having a first tubular portion (9) structured to be coupled onto the neck (2) of the bottle (1) , and a second tubular portion (10) structured to form the mouthpiece of the doser cap (4) , a breaking organ (7) which is stably and permanently arranged within the first tubular portion (9) of the bodybase ( 5 ) , a doser casing (6) provided with an inner chamber (11) that contains a powdered active substance and is enclosed by a frangible membrane (12) , the doser casing (6) is mounted axially movable along the first axis (A) within the body-base (5) so as to move toward the breaking organ (7) between a rest position, in which the doser casing (6) is approximately within the second tubular portion (10) , and a discharge position in which the doser casing (6) is approximately inside the first tubular portion (9) and the breakable membrane (12) impinges against the fixed breaking organ (7) resulting in the opening of the inner chamber (11) and the discharge of the active powdered substance through the broken / open frangible membrane (12) , a tethered lid (8) closing the bottle (1) , which includes an annular seal (13) , which is immovably coupled on the second axial end of the body-base (5) and a cap (14) that is stably connected to the annular seal (13) via a lateral hinge (15) such that it rotates about a second axis(B) orthogonal to the first axis (A) between a closed position and an open position of the bottle (1) , the tethered lid (8) also comprises an actuating mechanism (16) structured to axially move the doser casing(6) in the body-base (5) from the rest position to the discharge position when the tethered lid (8) is rotated about the first axis (A) in a first predetermined direction (DI) .

2. Doser cap according to claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism (16) comprises one or more circular cam-shaped profiles (18) , which extend cantilevered from the base of the cap (14) so as to protrude within the second tubular portion (10) , and are structured to dispose in abutment against the doser casing (6) so as to move it axially along the first axis (A) toward the breaking organ(7) when the circular cam-shaped profile (18) is rotated about the first axis (A) during the rotation of the tethered lid (8) in the first predetermined direction (DI) .

3. Doser cap according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the doser casing (6) comprises an inverted cup body (24) having a bottom opening closed by the frangible membrane (12) and is axially movable mounted on one or more guides (27) of said base-body (5) .

4. Doser cap according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the cup-body (24) comprises side portions (25) radially projecting from the circular wall of the cup-body (24) , which are housed in respective guides (27) of said cup-body so as to slide in the same along said first axis (A) .

5. Doser cap according to claim 4 wherein the cup body (24) comprises upper retaining tabs (28) that extendcantilevered from the upper end of the side portions (25) and are structured to be arranged to rest on a protruding end of the guides (27) so as to hold the doser casing (6) in the rest position, before that the tethered lid (8) is rotated in the first predetermined direction (DI) .

6. Doser cap according to claims 2 and 4, in which when the cap (14) is in the closed position, the circular cam-shaped profiles (18) are arranged to rest against respective side portions (25) of the cup body (24) .

7. Doser cap according to claim 6, wherein the circular cam-shaped profiles (18) extend within the second tubular portion (10) so as to mechanically interfere with the cup-shaped body (24) so as to prevent opening of the tethered lid (8) when the doser casing (6) is in the rest position .

8. Doser cap according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the breaking organ (7) centrally comprises a punching body (29) of substantially conical shape, extending within the first tubular portion (9) coaxial to the first axis (A) and having the bit oriented toward the frangible membrane (12) and one or more first through openings (30) structured to be crossed by the active powdered substance.

9. Doser cap according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the breaking organ (9) further comprises an outer tubular liner (31) extending coaxial to the first axis (A) in said first tubular portion (9) , delimiting with the first tubular portion (9) an inner channel (32) , and having a lower perimeter end connected to the punching body (29)by an annular portion (34) , and in which the cup body (24) has the perimeter edge of the lower aperture that is arranged to rest on the inner circular surface of the first tubular portion (9) in order that it slides on the same and is arranged to abut on the annular portion (34) when the doser casing (6) is in the discharge position.

10. Doser cap according to claim 9, wherein the annular portion (34) includes opening flaps (37) that are arranged along the inner annular edge of the annular portion (34) , and are structured to cooperate with the cup body (24) to open the flaps of the frangible membrane (12) when broken by the breaking organ (7) .

11. Dos er cap according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said outer tubular liner (26) has its upper perimeter edge connected to the body-base (5) by a series of spokes (36) delimiting between themselves and with the body-base (5) second through openings (36a) , which connect of fluid the inner channel (32) with the second tubular portion (10) .

12. Doser cap according to claim 11, wherein when the doser casing (6) is in the discharge position, the cup body (24) blocks up the tubular liner (31) so as to prevent the beverage from crossing the tubular liner (31) and at the same time allowing the beverage to flow from the inner channel (32) to the second tubular portion (10) through the second openings (36a) .

13. Doser cap according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the annular seal (13) is provided with a first toothed section (38) extending for an arc of circumference on the outer surface of the annular seal (13)itself and is coupled to a second toothed section (39) extending on the inner surface of the circular wall of the tethered lid (8) along a semi-circumference; the teeth of the first toothed section (38) and the teeth of the second toothed section (39) are oriented to engage with each other so as to counteract the rotation of the tethered lid (8) around the first axis (A) in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction (DI) .

14. Doser cap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second tubular portion (10) has on the outer surface of the circular wall, a tooth (40) that is configured to interfere with a tooth (8b) of the cap (14) during rotation of the tethered lid (8) about the first axis (A) .

15. A food beverage bottle (1) provided with a doser cap (4) made according to any one of the foregoing claims.

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