EP2331421B1 - Device for indicating at least one piece of information representative of the expiry date of a liquid food product contained in a vessel - Google Patents

Description

1. Field of the invention

The field of the invention is that of containers for packaging food liquids.

The invention relates more particularly to containers of the bottle type, or other similar containers such as bricks ..., especially those having a neck portion closed by a plug.

2. Prior Art

Food liquids are usually vacuum packed in sealed containers.

As long as the container is not loosened by a first opening, this storage mode gives the liquid that it contains a relatively long shelf life, which expires at the expiry date mentioned on the container. The liquid food packaged in this way can thus be kept up to several months for some since the container is not loosened.

After the container is loosened, the shelf life of the liquid it contains is greatly reduced by contact with the air. It is thus recommended, for sanitary and, where appropriate, organoleptic reasons, to consume the liquid contained in the receptacle for a period that generally does not exceed more than a few days after the first opening.

It is therefore clear how important it is for the consumer to know the deadline beyond which he should not consume the liquid contained in a container after the first opening. GB 2344101 describes a device for closing a container indicating to the consumer the expiry date of the liquid food after the first opening of the container containing it. WO 2006/113813 , GB 2253 287 , US 4419016 and US 4367955 describe closure devices of a container measuring durations.

3. Disadvantages of prior art

There is no food liquids container equipped with means to indicate the expiry date after the first opening, nor any other means provided for this purpose.

In order to overcome this drawback, some consumers take care in practice to indicate on the container the date on which they made their first opening.

To do this, the consumer must bring a pencil to mark the date in question on a sticky label before affixing it to the body of the container. Another solution is to postpone this date directly on the body of the container. These techniques turn out to be impractical, so that they are ultimately implemented only by a limited number of consumers.

In addition, this technique is not accessible to all consumers. In particular, it is not intended for young children or people who do not know how to read or write.

Thus, even if an adult takes the precaution of indicating on the container the date of the first opening of the container or the deadline beyond which the liquid it contains must no longer be consumed, it may happen that no one is able to appreciate the contents of this information consumes the liquid contained in the container despite the fact that the use-by date has been reached.

As a result, it is not uncommon for consumers to drink liquids that have passed the expiry date, which can affect their health.

It is also not uncommon for consumers, who do not remember precisely the date on which they opened the container for the first time, prefer to discard the contents as a precaution, even though it is still fit for consumption.

• absorbe un liquide alimentaire alors que sa date limite de consommation après première ouverture a été atteinte, ce qui peut avoir des conséquences plus ou moins importantes sur son état de santé ;
• jette un liquide alimentaire alors qu'il demeure propre à la consommation, ce qui engendre un gaspillage injustifié.

In summary, the main drawbacks related to the current practice of consuming bottled liquid food are related to the fact that a consumer may:

• absorbs a liquid food while its deadline of consumption after first opening has been reached, which may have more or less significant consequences on his state of health;
• throws a liquid food while it remains fit for consumption, which generates an unjustified waste.

There is therefore a need for a solution to this problem.

4. Objectives of the invention

The invention particularly aims to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide, in at least one embodiment, a technique allowing the consumer of a liquid food packaged in a container to know precisely the deadline for consumption after it. was opened for the first time, or at least to know information representative of this deadline.

Another object of the invention is to implement, in at least one embodiment, such a technique that is suitable for any type of consumer, whether it is a child or an adult.

In particular, the invention aims to deliver, in at least one embodiment, such a technique that is ergonomic, fun and easy to use.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such a technique that is versatile.

In particular, the invention aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such a technique that can be implemented for containers for liquid food of different types and sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in at least one embodiment, such a technique which is reliable, robust and environmentally friendly.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such a technique that is simple and inexpensive to implement.

5. Presentation of the invention

• des moyens de déclenchement de la détermination d'au moins une information représentative d'une durée ;
• des moyens de détermination d'une information représentative de la durée écoulée depuis ledit déclenchement ;
• des moyens de communication d'au moins une information représentative de ladite durée écoulée,

ledit corps creux présentant des moyens de solidarisation réversible audit bouchon.These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved according to the invention with the aid of a removable device indicating at least one representative information of the expiry date of a liquid food after first opening a container in which said liquid is conditioned, said container being of bottle type having a neck portion and comprising a plug closing said neck, said indicator device constituting an over-cap comprising a hollow body housing:

• means for triggering the determination of at least one piece of information representative of a duration;
• means for determining information representative of the time elapsed since said triggering;
• means for communicating at least one piece of information representative of said elapsed time,

said hollow body having reversible securing means to said plug.

It is noted that a container within the meaning of the invention comprises a container and a cap closing this container.

Thus, the invention is based on a completely original approach for communicating to the consumer of a liquid food packaged in a container information representative of the expiry date of the liquid after first opening the container in which it is conditioned.

This approach consists in the implementation of an independent and removable indicator device to be attached and reversibly secured or cap of the container.

Thus, when a consumer starts a new bottle of liquid food, it can report on it a device according to the invention so to be informed of the expiry date of this liquid after the first opening.

Once the container is emptied of its contents, the consumer can remove the indicator device according to the invention before joining it again on a newly opened container.

A device according to the invention therefore has the advantage of being reusable. It is therefore not a consumable and disposable device which limits its impact on the environment.

Such a device comprises means for determining information representative of a duration, such as, for example, an elapsed time or a remaining time resulting from the countdown of a given duration.

It also comprises triggering means, which, when activated, make it possible to implement the determination means in order to trigger the measurement of a time or the countdown of a given duration.

Finally, a device according to the invention comprises means for displaying information representative of the expiry date of the liquid food after first opening the container in which it is conditioned.

An indicator device according to the invention then operates in the following manner.

When a consumer opens a container for the first time, it secures an indicator device according to the invention to the cap of this container.

As soon as it proceeds to the first opening of this container, it actuates directly or indirectly the triggering means to implement the means for determining information representative of the food consumption limit date after the first opening. This information may for example consist of measuring the time elapsed since the first opening or the countdown of a time over a given period, the given period corresponding to the duration after opening beyond which the liquid is unfit for consumption. For example, if we consider that a liquid can not be consumed beyond a period of ten days after the first opening of the container in which it is conditioned the count will be that of a period of ten days.

This information is then communicated to the consumer. It may for example take the form of an indication on a display screen of the elapsed time since the first opening or the time remaining until the liquid consumption deadline has been reached. It can also take the form of a green light emitting light until the deadline for consumption is reached and turning red as soon as this date is reached. It can also take the form of a sound signal issued as soon as the use-by date is reached. Thus, depending on the method of dissemination selected, the information communicated may be accessible to all categories of people.

• les moyens de solidarisation par clippage ;
• les moyens de solidarisation par friction.

According to a preferred embodiment, said securing means belong to the group comprising:

• the fastening means by clipping;
• the friction fastening means.

This allows to effectively and simply, reversibly, an indicator device according to the invention is securely and securely connected to the stopper of a container inside which a food liquid is packaged. An indicator according to the invention can thus be installed and removed easily.

• les chronomètres ;
• les comptes à rebours.

Advantageously, said determination means belong to the group comprising:

• chronometers;
• countdowns.

This makes it possible to measure or to count down the time elapsing since the first opening, which constitutes information representative of the expiry date of a liquid food after first opening of the container in which it is conditioned.

Preferably, said tripping means comprise a contactor.

Such a switch can be operated directly by the consumer or automatically during the establishment of the indicator on the container when the arrangement allows, which facilitates the use.

• les écrans d'affichage ;
• les sources lumineuses ;
• les sources sonores.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, said communication means belong to the group comprising:

• display screens;
• light sources;
• the sound sources.

These modes of communication can make it possible to transmit information representative of the use-by date to all categories of consumers.

Said device constitutes a removable cap. The term "removable cap" means an element that caps the cap covering a large part or the entire outer surface thereof to reversibly bond to it in such a way that the plug and the on-cap are integral with each other. According to such a characteristic, when the user wishes to open the container, he grasps the over-cap and unscrews the assembly constituted by the cap and the over-cap. When he wants to close the container, it screws this set on the neck of the container.

According to an advantageous variant, such an over-cap may have a cam shape. Such a shape facilitates the unscrewing of the assembly constituted by the cap and the overcap. This may be useful because it is not uncommon for some containers, such as for example the containers consisting of a Tetrapack ® packaging, are for some users, difficult to open, especially during the first opening.

Preferably, said hollow body has two interior chambers separated by a partition, a first of said receptacle chambers for said triggering means, said determining means and said communication means, the second of said chambers having an inner contour complementary to the outer contour of said plug .

This implementation makes it possible to secure the indicator device according to the invention by engaging it on the cap of a container.

Advantageously, said partition is flexible, said contactor being positioned in said first chamber near said flexible partition.

Thus, as soon as the indicator device is put in place on the cap of the container, the contactor is activated so that the determination means are implemented. This facilitates the use of an indicator device according to the invention.

An indicator device according to the invention advantageously comprises a cover closing said first chamber.

This makes it possible to conceal and protect the electronic means embedded in the indicator device. This cover can be removable in which case the user can for example access and replace the batteries necessary for the operation of the device. According to another approach, this cover is not removable so as to prevent the user from damaging the means integrated in the device.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said body and / or said lid is at least partially translucent.

This allows, when the communication means comprise at least one light source, to let the light radiation.

6. List of figures

• la figure 1 présente un schéma illustrant un premier mode de réalisation d'un indicateur selon l'invention formant sur-bouchon mis en place sur le bouchon d'un récipient contenant un liquide alimentaire ;
• la figure 2 illustre une vue en perspective et transparence du corps creux du dispositif indicateur illustré à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 illustre une vue en perspective et transparence d'un autre mode de réalisation du corps creux d'un dispositif indicateur selon l'invention ;
• les figures 4a et 4b représentent respectivement une vue en perspective inférieure et transparence et une vue en perspective supérieure d'encore un autre mode de réalisation du corps creux d'un dispositif indicateur selon l'invention ;
• les figures 5a, 5b et 5c représentent des vues en perspective et transparence de corps creux muni de différents modes de réalisation de couvercle d'un dispositif indicateur selon l'invention.
• la figure 6 présente une vue en perspective d'un second mode de réalisation d'un indicateur selon l'invention formant sur-bouchon mis en place sur le bouchon d'un récipient contenant un liquide alimentaire,
• la figure 7 représente une vue de dessus du récipient doté du sur-bouchon selon la figure 6.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

• the figure 1 shows a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of an indicator according to the invention forming on-cap placed on the cap of a container containing a liquid food;
• the figure 2 illustrates a perspective view and transparency of the hollow body of the indicator device illustrated in FIG. figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 illustrates a perspective view and transparency of another embodiment of the hollow body of an indicator device according to the invention;
• the Figures 4a and 4b respectively represent a lower perspective view and a higher perspective view of yet another embodiment of the hollow body of an indicator device according to the invention;
• the Figures 5a, 5b and 5c represent views in perspective and transparency of hollow body provided with different embodiments of cover of an indicator device according to the invention.
• the figure 6 presents a perspective view of a second embodiment of an indicator according to the invention forming an overcap placed on the stopper of a container containing a liquid food,
• the figure 7 represents a top view of the container with the over-cap according to the figure 6 .

7. Description of an embodiment of the invention 7.1. Reminder of the general principle of invention

The general principle of the invention is based on the implementation of a removable indicator device so as to communicate to the consumer (s) of a liquid food packaged in a container including a container and a cap closing the neck of the containing, information representative of its expiry date after the first opening of the container.

For this purpose, an indicator device according to the invention comprises a hollow body which has means for reversibly joining the cap of the receptacle, and which houses means for triggering the determination of at least one piece of information representative of a duration, means determining information representative of the time elapsed since said triggering, and means for communicating at least one piece of information representative of said elapsed time.

Thus, when a consumer starts a container containing a liquid food, it is sufficient to report on this container an indicator device according to the invention, then to activate the triggering means so that the determination means determine information representative of a duration (for example the time elapsed since the first opening or the counting of a duration over a reference period since the first opening). This information is then communicated to the consumer in such a way that he can know or determine the expiry date of his food liquid.

7.2. Example of a first embodiment of the invention

We present, in relation to the figure 1 , a first embodiment of a removable indicator device according to the invention.

As this is represented on this figure 1 , such a removable indicator device 10 is intended to be reversibly secured to the plug 11 closing a bottle-type container 12 by screwing inside which is packaged a liquid food, for example orange juice, milk .. In this sense, the indicator device according to the invention constitutes, in this embodiment, a removable "over-cap".

As it appears on the figure 2 , an indicator device according to the invention comprises a hollow body 20. This hollow body 20 defines a first 21 and a second 22 inner chambers.

This first chamber 21 may have an inner contour of substantially cylindrical shape, as shown in FIG. figure 2 , or of substantially parallelepipedic shape, as shown on the figure 3 or another contour.

• des moyens de déclenchement de la détermination d'au moins une information représentative d'une durée ;
• des moyens de détermination d'une information représentative de la durée écoulée depuis ledit déclenchement ;
• des moyens de communication d'au moins une information représentative de ladite durée écoulée.

The first inner chamber 21 incorporates an electronic card (not shown) on which are particularly reported:

• means for triggering the determination of at least one piece of information representative of a duration;
• means for determining information representative of the duration elapsed since said triggering;
• means for communicating at least one piece of information representative of said elapsed time.

The choice of the inner contour of the first chamber is related to the shape of the electronic card intended to be housed therein.

The triggering means may take the form of a contactor which can be directly manually operated by a consumer. According to another embodiment, it may also be a contactor which is positioned in such a way that it is actuated directly by simply securing the indicator device to the plug.

The means for determining information representative of the time elapsed since the trigger can for example take the form of a timer which measures the time elapsed since its activation. Alternatively, they may include a countdown that counts down the time since its activation. In this case, it also includes means for programming the duration of the count.

The means for communicating at least one piece of information representative of the elapsed time may, for example, take the form of a display screen capable of indicating the time elapsed since the first opening or the time remaining before the use-by date. food liquid is reached. It may also be light sources such as diodes, which for example emit a green light as long as the liquid food remains fit for consumption, or emit a red light as soon as the expiry date of this liquid after the first opening is reached. According to another variant, it may also be provided that these communication means comprise a sound source which emits a signal as soon as the liquid food is unfit for consumption and the container is handled (in this case, the indicator device according to the invention). invention may comprise means capable of detecting a movement of the container), or as soon as a control button is actuated. In the latter case, it may be implement on the indicator a control button that the consumer operates before consuming the liquid food to check whether it can still be consumed. If the liquid food can still be consumed, the activation of this control button will be followed by no sound emission or the issuance of a message alerting that the liquid is consumable. If the liquid consumption deadline has been reached, the activation of this control button will be followed by the emission of an audible signal or an alert message of the type "the expiry date has passed". .

In this embodiment, the second chamber 22 constitutes the reversible connection means of the indicator device 10 according to the invention to the cap 11 of the bottle 12. For this, this second chamber 22 has an inner contour of complementary shape of the outer contour of the plug 11. The section of the inner contour of the second chamber 22 and slightly smaller than the section of the outer contour of the plug 11 so that the indicator device according to the invention can be secured to the plug by press fitting (friction).

The first 21 and second 22 chambers are separated by a membrane 40, as it appears more clearly on the figure 4b relating to another embodiment of the hollow body. It can be expected that this membrane 40 is flexible. This is particularly the case when the triggering means comprise a contactor which is positioned in such a way that it is actuated directly by simply securing the indicator device to the plug.

The first chamber 21 can be closed by means of a lid 50.

This cover 50 conceals and protects the electronic card housed inside the first chamber 21. It can be secured to the hollow body 20 in the same way that it is secured to the plug 11, that is say by press fitting. As shown on the Figures 5a, 5b and 5c it can also be secured by clipping. In this case, it may be provided to form a groove 51 on the outer circumference of the hollow body 20 and a complementary shaped bead 52 on the inner circumference of the lid 50 (cf. figure 5a ). It may also be provided to form on the hollow body 20 a resilient circular hook 52 complementary housing formed for this purpose in the cover 50 (cf. figure 5b ). According to another variant, it can be formed on the hollow body four elastic hooks 53 uniformly distributed complementary housing provided for this purpose in the cover 50 (cf. figure 5c ). In the latter case, these four hooks 53 can define a first chamber 21 of substantially parallelepiped shape adapted to accommodate the electronic card.

The cover 50 may be removable so that the user can replace the batteries necessary for the operation of the indicator device when they are used. According to another approach, this cap is not removable so as to prevent a consumer from damaging its contents. This can also help to prevent the seal between the lid and the hollow body from being broken.

In the variant according to which the communication means comprise light sources, the cover 50 will preferably be partially translucent so as to let the light pass.

The hollow body 20 and the cap 50 are preferably made of polypropylene or polyethylene. These elements can therefore be recycled. It is noted that in order to recycle the cap, the electronic part that is housed therein is removed beforehand.

7.3 Implementation of an indicator device according to the invention

The operation of a removable indicator device according to the invention will now be explained.

When a user starts for the first time a container containing a liquid food, it is equipped with an indicator device according to the invention and then secures it to the container. For this, he can slip the indicator device on the cap.

The triggering means are then activated either directly during the securing of the indicator device when their arrangement allows it, or by the user.

The activation of the trigger means causes the implementation of the means for determining information representative of the time elapsed since the trigger.

When these determination means comprise a stopwatch, they make it possible to measure the time elapsed since the activation of the triggering means.

When these determination means comprise a countdown, they make it possible to count down the time elapsed over a reference period which corresponds to the maximum duration after the first opening beyond which the liquid food can no longer be consumed. In this case, it may be envisaged that the user has to program the duration of this period. Thus, if the liquid is not to be consumed beyond a period of three days after the first opening, the consumer will schedule the countdown period to be equal to three days. However, this duration may also be preprogrammed by the manufacturer, especially when the indicator device according to the invention will be sold with one or more container (s) containing a given liquid, such as for example a batch of bottles of milk or juice. 'orange.

The determination means therefore make it possible to define information representative of a duration (for example the time elapsed since the first opening or the counting of a duration over a reference period since the first opening). This information is then communicated to the consumer via the means of communication.

• l'indication du temps écoulé depuis la première ouverture ;
• l'indication du temps restant avant que le liquide alimentaire deviennent impropre à la consommation ;
• l'apparition d'un message du type « boisson consommable » ou « boisson impropre à la consommation » ;
• l'émission d'un signal sonore de type « boisson consommable » ou « boisson impropre à la consommation » ;
• l'émission d'une lumière verte tant que la boisson est consommable et d'une lumière rouge dès que la boisson est impropre à la consommation.

This information may consist of:

• an indication of the elapsed time since the first opening;
• the indication of the time remaining before the liquid food becomes unfit for consumption;
• the appearance of a message of the type "drinkable drink" or "drink unfit for human consumption ";
• the emission of a sound signal of the type "consumable drink" or "beverage unfit for consumption";
• the emission of a green light as long as the drink is consumable and a red light as soon as the drink is unfit for consumption.

The communication of such information to the consumer allows him to know or determine the expiry date of his liquid food. This information allows him to avoid consuming a liquid food unfit for consumption or contrary to throw a liquid food for consumption.

Once the container is emptied of its contents, either because it has been consumed or when its expiry date has arrived, the consumer can separate the detachable indicator device according to the invention in order to secure it to a container again. he has just started for the first time. It is noted in this regard that activating the triggering means again resets the timer or countdown so that they respectively measure or count down the elapsed time since the first opening of the new container. .

With reference to the figure 6 another embodiment of the indicating device 10 is shown. According to this embodiment, the indicator device 10 cooperates with a container consisting of a Tetrapack® packaging 12. In a conventional manner this package consists of a parallelepipedic container forming a "brick" which has on its upper face a neck. On this neck is screwed a plug of circular section.

The indicator device 10 constitutes a detachable cap that covers and completely covers the cap of the container and is integral therewith. The cap of the container is not visible in this figure since masked by the device according to the invention.

The on-plug indicator device 10 includes a hollow body which has a chamber having an inner contour of shape complementary to the outer contour of the plug so as to cooperate with it.

The over-cap indicator device 10 according to this embodiment has a cam shape. Such a cam shape facilitates the unscrewing of the assembly constituted by the cap and the over-cap. Indeed, by acting on the free end of the cam, it is possible to easily rotate this assembly integrally along the longitudinal axis of the plug to move it from one position to another such as that shown online dotted on the Figures 6 and 7 , and then unscrew this set,

Claims (10)

1. Removable indicating device (10) for at least one item of information representing the use-by date of a liquid food after the first opening of a container (12) in which the said liquid is packaged, the said container being of the bottle type having a part forming a neck (70) and comprising a stopper (11) closing the said neck, the said indicating device (10) constituting an over-stopper comprising a hollow body (20) housing:

   - means for activating the determination of at least one item of information representing a period of time;

   - means for determining an item of information representing the period of time which has elapsed since the said activation;

   - means for communicating at least one item of information representing the said period of time which has elapsed,

   the said hollow body (20) having means (51, 52, 53, 62) for reversible attachment to the said stopper (11).
2. Indicating device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said means of attachment (51, 52, 53) belong to the group comprising:

   - means of attachment by clipping;

   - means of attachment by friction.
3. Indicating device according to either of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the said determining means belong to the group comprising:

   - timers;

   - countdown devices.
4. Indicating device according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the said activating means comprise a contactor.
5. Indicating device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the said communicating means belong to the group comprising:

   - display screens;

   - light sources;

   - sound sources.
6. Device according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it has the shape of a cam.
7. Device according to any of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the said hollow body (20) has two internal chambers separated by a partition (40), a first (21) of the said chambers forming a receptacle for the said activating means, the said determining means and the said communicating means, the second (22) of the said chambers having an internal contour which is complementary to the external contour of the said stopper (11).
8. Indicating device according to Claim 7, characterised in that the said partition (40) is flexible, the said contactor being positioned in the said first chamber (21), close to the said flexible partition (40).
9. Indicating device according to either of Claims 7 or 8, characterised in that it comprises a lid (50) which closes the said first chamber (21).
10. Indicating device according to any of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the said body (20) and/or the said lid (50) is at least partially translucent.

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