Closure Capsule With Dual Perforable Membranes and Segmented Tanks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closure capsules for containers with powdered products and liquids do not efficiently separate and mix substances during opening, leading to suboptimal conservation and use possibilities.

Innovation Solution

A closure capsule with a stopper comprising a first and second perforable membrane, each with a cutter that delimits and opens separate tanks for different substances, allowing for controlled release into a container, facilitated by a rotating cover that transmits opening torque to the cutters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single membrane and cutter are used to contain and release powdered product, then the structure is simple, but only one substance can be stored and mixed at a time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of substances that can be stored and mixedVSAvoidstructure of capsule
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule is divided into multiple independent tanks (first tank and second tank) separated by a partition wall, with each tank containing different substances. Each tank has its own membrane and cutter assembly, allowing independent storage and controlled release of multiple substances simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cutter assemblies (first cutter and second cutter) are integrated into a single rotating cover structure. The cover rotates to simultaneously or sequentially activate multiple cutters, enabling coordinated opening of multiple tanks with a single user action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If substances are kept separate in the container, then conservation is improved, but mixing control is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconservation of powdered productVSAvoidcontrol of mixing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule is pre-configured with multiple sealed tanks containing separate substances, ready for storage. The membranes and cutters are positioned and prepared in advance, so that when the user rotates the cover, the substances are automatically mixed in a controlled manner without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule automatically performs the mixing function through its mechanical design. When the rotating cover activates the cutters, the membranes break and substances are released into the container automatically, eliminating the need for manual mixing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a single opening action is used to release all substances, then ease of use is improved, but control over individual substance release is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of actions required to open capsuleVSAvoidcontrol over substance release
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed to rotate dynamically, allowing the user to control the timing and sequence of cutter activation. The rotation can be continuous or intermittent, enabling flexible control over when each substance is released while maintaining a single opening action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating cover activates cutters in a periodic sequence during rotation. The first cutter and second cutter can be activated at different points in the rotation cycle, allowing controlled sequential release of substances while maintaining a single continuous opening action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3759032B1Closure capsule
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 BORMIOLI PHARMA SPA
  • EP3759032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3759032B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3759032B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A closure capsule for closing a container, comprising: -a stopper (2) applicable to the container and comprising a first perforable membrane (21); -a first cutter (31) of the first membrane, said first cutter (31) being movable between a start stroke position and an end stroke position; in the start stroke position of the first cutter (31), in combination with at least the first membrane (21), the first cutter (31) delimits a first tank (41) for containing a first substance; in the end stroke position of the first cutter (31) at least a part of the first membrane (21) being perforated to enable passage of the first substance from the first tank (41) to the container. The stopper (2) comprises at least a second perforable membrane (22). The capsule (1) comprises a second cutter (32) for cutting the second membrane, said second cutter (32) being movable between a start stroke position and an end stroke position; in the start stroke position of the second cutter (32), in combination with at least the second membrane (22), the second cutter (32) delimiting a second tank (42) for containing a second substance; in the end stroke position of the second cutter (32) at least a part of the second membrane (22) being perforated and enabling passage of the second substance from the second tank (42) to the container.