EP3052402A1

EP3052402A1 - Measuring cap

Info

Publication number: EP3052402A1
Application number: EP14777696.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frédéric PROST
Original assignee: Doucet; Euro Moule
Current assignee: Doucet; Euro Moule
Priority date: 2013-10-03
Filing date: 2014-09-03
Publication date: 2016-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-03
Also published as: JP6402946B2; JP2016536225A; KR20160064169A; EP3052402B1; RU2016112338A3; AU2014331018B2; CN105683056B; CA2925549C; RU2660067C2; KR102227708B1; BR112016007285A2; FR3011532B1; US9758283B2; RU2016112338A; US20160214773A1; AU2014331018A1; BR112016007285B1; CA2925549A1; FR3011532A1; WO2015049429A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device made up of a body (4) defining an inner volume (9) to receive a liquid or powdered or pasty composition designed to be transferred into a container having a threaded neck, said device having a skirt (10) provided with a thread complementary to the thread of the neck (2) of said container, and a membrane (8) connected to the inner wall of said body (4) by a generally annular peripheral zone, characterised in that it has a rupture line (12) situated between said peripheral zone (13) and said membrane (8), that annular peripheral zone (13) being configured to bear on the upper surface (16) of the neck (2) of the bottle during screwing of the skirt (10) on the threaded neck of the container and to cause at least a partial rupture of said rupture line (12).

Description

DOSING CAP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of plugs intended to be connected to the threaded neck of a bottle or container, in order to transfer into the contents of the bottle or container a liquid, pasty or powdery additive. , for example an organoleptic supplement, a mineral, a dye, a taste additive or a chemical complement, for example a catalyst, a reagent or a detergent. The content of the measuring cap is intended to be mixed with the contents of the container or bottle on which it is placed, or to reload this container.

To allow easy use of these dosing caps, they must reduce handling and ensure a perfect seal both during the placement phase on the container that during the transfer phase of the dose contained in the measuring cap.

State of the art

In the state of the art, various solutions are known for producing such devices, in particular for producing dosing plugs.

It is known in the state of the art the German patent DE102004013270 describing an accessory screw on the neck of a bottle, and having a lid. This lid is connected to the inner annular surface of the accessory by a peripheral annular area of lesser thickness. When the accessory is screwed onto the neck of the bottle, the frontal area of the neck comes into contact with the operculum - and not with the peripheral annular zone of lesser thickness, then exerts an axial force causing a tear in this annular zone. , in an uncontrolled way until provoking tear. The lid is then released and the neck enters the interior of the accessory.

This solution has a seal at the bottom of the thread which is not adapted to retain the contents of the accessory during the various manipulations of the system.

Also known in the state of the art the US patent application US2010 / 301002 describing a metering cap for an addition product to a liquid contained in a container with a neck adapted to receive a screw cap which comprises:

a first capsule-shaped part having a bottom and a side skirt whose end opposite the bottom is provided with an internal thread

- a second cup-shaped piece with a bottom and a side skirt.

The bowl and the capsule have first latching means which cooperate in maintaining the bowl in the capsule in a first relative axial position with, between them, a sealed peripheral contact.

A spacer extends inside the bowl skirt from the bottom thereof towards the bottom of the capsule to form a stop limiting the depression of the bowl in the capsule beyond this first position. This spacer is a means of breaking the bottom of the bowl when the depression of the latter in the capsule is forced beyond said first position by the neck drinking.

This solution has sealing difficulties because of the sliding of the capsule relative to the bowl.

Furthermore, the spacer occupies the useful volume and thus reduces the capacity of the dosing cap. It can also deform during screwing, and thus not effectively fulfill its role of driving.

Document US2008 / 142471 is also known which describes another example of a measuring cap. Disadvantages of prior art

Many solutions of the prior art provides a finger disposed in the interior volume of the dispenser, coming to exert a force on a lid when screwing the dispenser on the neck of the container.

These solutions have several disadvantages. In the first place, the volume of this finger reduces the useful volume, and makes it necessary to increase the size of the dispenser to compensate for the dead volume occupied by the finger.

Second, the embodiment by plastic molding is complicated by this erect finger on the surface of the bottom of the cap.

Other solutions include a lid surrounded by a broken tear line when the dispenser is engaged on the neck of the bottle and screwed.

These solutions are not satisfactory either because the seal is released after rupture, and can enter the bottle, or move in a position where it interferes with the flow of the contents of the dispenser to the bottle, further sealing is not ensured to the drinking or top of the ring of the bottle, which causes a loss of the contents of the accessory during the various manipulations of the system.

Furthermore, the solutions of the prior art have complex configurations requiring either the assembly of several parts or an industrial production with complex molding tools, including drawer molds.

Finally, in most solutions of the prior art, the devices comprise different parts in relative movement, which makes it difficult to obtain a good seal. Solution provided by the invention

In order to remedy these drawbacks, the present invention relates, according to its most general meaning, to a measuring device consisting of a body defining an interior volume for receiving a liquid or powdery or pasty composition intended to be transferred into a container having a threaded neck, said device having a skirt provided with a thread complementary to the thread of said container, and a cap connected to the inner wall of said body by a peripheral zone of generally annular shape characterized in that said peripheral zone has:

at least one break line

- At least one zone extending in a transverse plane, at the periphery of the seal configured to cause at least partial rupture of said rupture line when it comes into contact with the front surface of the neck of the bottle.

This peripheral zone advantageously has a thickness identical to or greater than that of the lid, in order to avoid uncontrolled tearing. The tearing, during screwing, does not take place on a thin peripheral zone, but according to a breaking line formed on this peripheral zone.

Thus, during the start of the rotation after the two threads are engaged, the device engages around the neck of the bottle, and the transverse area approaches the front surface of the neck until this frontal area of the neck come into contact with the peripheral annular zone - and not with the operculum. By continuing the screwing, the frontal surface of the neck exerts an axial stress perpendicular to this transverse zone of increasing amplitude, up to cause the tear along the rupture line, which releases the lid.

Advantageously, the device has a stop, in particular of arcuate shape, whose median line has a radius R where R corresponds substantially to the median radius of the threaded neck of said container, said stop being configured to bear on the front surface of the neck of the bottle during the screwing of the skirt on the threaded neck of the container and a hinge zone whose median radius is greater than R.

"During screwing" in the sense of this patent means a stage of engagement of the screwing:

after initiation of the screwing, where the two threaded elements come into contact, and

- and prior to arrival in abutment.

This device is a monolithic piece, molded in one piece without any insert (except possibly the bottom placed after filling the device). This solves the sealing problems encountered when assembling additional parts.

This monolithic device is closed either by an attached bottom, or by a deformation of the portion opposite the lid, to seal, roll or close by any known method the filling end.

The opening of the device is provided by the percussions of the cap when the stop comes into contact with the front surface of the neck of the bottle. By continuing the screwing, the protrusion exerts a mechanical force on the lid causing tearing of the rupture line and the tilting of the lid towards the interior volume of the body, which allows the flow of the contents.

This piece is also designed to be easily made in a simple plastic injection mold, requiring no drawers. Advantageously, the stop is formed by a protrusion projecting from the outer surface of one operculum.

According to a first variant, said stop is located on the side diametrically opposite the middle of said breaking line.

According to a second variant, said stop is located in the middle of said breaking line.

According to a particular embodiment, said breaking line extends over an arc of less than 360-A °, A being between 5 and 180 °.

According to a particular embodiment, said rupture line extends over an arc of circle at least one rupture line extends over an arc of less than 360-A °, A being between 5 and 180 ° and in that said protrusion is oriented in a direction opposite to the internal volume, at the median line of said stop having a radius R where R corresponds substantially to the median radius of the threaded neck of said container, said protrusion s' being on an arc of A °.

Advantageously, said hinge zone whose median radius is greater than R, extending over an arc of at least A °.

According to a variant, the lid is extended at its lower part by a striker extending perpendicular to the surface of the lid.

Detailed description of non-limiting example of embodiment

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, relating to nonlimiting examples of embodiment illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a sectional view of a first example of a device according to the invention, as well as a part of a bottle FIGS. 2A and 2B show views respectively in section in detail and from above of the lid

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show sectional views of a second exemplary embodiment, respectively in the intermediate screwing position and in the complete screwing position.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show sectional views of a third exemplary embodiment, respectively in an intermediate screwing position and in a complete screwing position.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 represent sectional views of a fourth embodiment, respectively in the intermediate screwing position and in the complete screwing position.

- Figures 9 and 9A show views respectively in section and from below of a percussion pin.

- Figures 10 and 11 respectively show a sectional view of a dosing cap according to the invention, and a detailed view of the connection of the doser body with the bottom.

First example of realization

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment.

The metering device (1) is intended to be screwed onto the neck (2) of a bottle (3).

The neck (2) has a known manner, or even a standardized way, an external thread, in particular of standardized diameter "28" according to commonly used standards, such as GMP, MCA, ALCOA, 1716, LEIGHT-WEIGH. These arrangements can also be taken for different diameters, such as diameters of "32""38""40" or other, depending on the type of container. The metering device (1) is manufactured by injection molding of a plastic material, preferably flexible, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The dispenser (1) is constituted by a cylindrical body (4) forming at its bottom a tubular skirt (5) having at its inner surface a thread (6) complementary to the thread (16) of the neck (2) of the bottle. In the example described, this thread of the neck (2) is provided on the outer surface of the neck.

The skirt (5) has on its outer surface streaks

(10) facilitating the exercise of a torque.

This cylindrical body (4) is closed at its upper end by a bottom (7) clipped, welded, or glued.

At the other end, the cylindrical body (4) is closed by a sieve (8).

The height of this skirt (5) is, in the example described, configured to abut against the shoulder of the bottle or its neck, when the maximum screwing is reached. This solution limits the tightening stroke and prevent excessive depression of the neck in the body (4).

Between these two plugged ends, the cylindrical (4) defines a useful volume (9) completely available to receive a liquid, pasty or powdery content.

The lid (8) has a central disc area (11) surrounded by an annular peripheral zone, a portion (13) is thinned to form a hinge. The thinned hinge portion (13) extends between the body (4) and the break line (12). This peripheral zone (13) is not intended to tear, but to deform to move from a transverse initial position, to a conical position directed towards the bottom of the device, after tearing of the rupture line (12). It then forms a conical sealing lip fitting the upper part of the neck, up to its rim, without coming into contact with the thread. The radius of this peripheral annular zone (13) is slightly greater than the outer radius of the neck (2) of the bottle, and less than the inner radius of the cylindrical body (4). The cover has a breaking line (12) with a radius smaller than the radius of the hinge zone (13). The radius of the rupture zone (12) is preferably also equal to or less than the median radius of the neck of the bottle. In any event, the front surface of the neck does not come to rest on the seal formed inside this rupture line (12), so as to preserve the tightness of the connection zone between the device and the neck of the bottle. This sealing is ensured by the folding of the peripheral zone (13) forming a conical sealing lip.

The radius of the lid (8) is, at least partially, less than or equal to the median radius of the front surface of the neck (2) of the complementary bottle.

In the example described, the cover (8) has, at the hinge zone (13), a spout (14) extending below a segment of the rupture line (12), to avoid the tear at the point where the seal comes into contact first, during screwing, with the front surface of the neck (2) of the bottle. Before the face, this beak (14) has a tubular shape, perpendicular to the lid.

After screwing, this spout (14) is deformed to take conical or annular, coming in circular support on the upper edge of the neck of the bottle.

Therefore, when the screwing continues, this arched beak (14) prevents tearing at this point, and creates a lever effect transmitting the forces in the opposite part of the lid. The tear then occurs along the break line (12) at a location diametrically opposed to the arcuate beak portion (14).

To improve this leverage, the cap has at this beak (14) an extra thickness (15) avoiding a elastic deformation of the central zone (10) and ensuring a good transfer of forces.

The operation is as follows:

The measuring cap (1) is engaged on the neck (2) of the bottle (3). The screwing is then carried out in known manner until the annular peripheral zone between the hinge (13) and the rupture line (12) and surrounding the lid (10) comes into contact with the frontal surface (16). ) of the neck (2) of the bottle (3). Due to the helical shape of the thread, this contact starts at a particular angular point where the spout (14) is located.

According to a non-limiting variant, the presence of this spout (14) locally protecting the rupture line (12) has the consequence that the mechanical stress which is exerted perpendicular to the surface of the cap (8) forces the tilting of the central disc zone (10) of the cap, which transmits the forces, particularly because of the reinforced zone (15), towards the diametrically opposite portion. These constraints then cause tearing of the rupture line substantially on the opposite side to the spout (14). By continuing the screwing, it increases the deformation of the cover (8) which quickly takes a significant angle relative to the transverse plane.

In this embodiment, the disc area (10) of the cover (8) is further extended at its lower surface by a striker (18) erect in a perpendicular direction at rest in the transverse plane. This striker perforates the aluminum seal (or other material) that can seal some bottles, to allow the flow of the contents of the dispenser to the container. The dispenser can thus be used without any manipulation of the bottle other than the engagement and screwing on the neck of the bottle.

Figure 2a describes in detail the hinge and sealing after screwing and tearing of the rupture zone. The peripheral annular zone (13) forming a hinge has been pushed back from a transverse initial position to a conical position, resting against the upper tubular surface of the neck (2). The spout (14) has also been deformed to bear against the rim (or the upper outer edge) of the neck (2), before the threading. These two parts are (13 and 14) and thus seal the connection between the metering device and the neck of the bottle.

The deformation of the annular zone (13) is facilitated on the one hand by the thinned but non-tearing annular zone forming a hinge, and its extension - possibly of greater thickness - located inside the rupture line.

Figure 2B shows a bottom view of the device.

When the plastic material is sufficiently deformable, the annular peripheral zone extends directly from the surface of the body to the breaking line.

If the material is stiffer, it forms a thinner area forming a hinge.

Second example of realization

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an alternative embodiment, in which the body (4) of the dispenser (1) has in an eccentric zone a protruding index (20) whose lower end (21) comes into contact with the edge of the operculum (8) when the screwing causes the contacting of the front surface (16) of the neck of the bottle with the spout (14) provided on the lower surface of the lid.

This index (20) helps to prevent the undesirable tearing of the break line (12) and to ensure the transmission of the mechanical forces to the opposite side of the seal, where the break must occur. Third example of realization

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another variant embodiment in which the cover (8) has an outgrowth extending to the peripheral lower surface of the cover, at a radial distance less than the radius of the break line (12) and the radius of the hinge (13). The radial distance of this protrusion (22) substantially corresponds to the median radius of the front surface (16) of the neck (2) of the bottle (3).

Fourth example of realization

Figures 7 and 8 show another embodiment where the cover (8) has a plurality of excrescences (22,23) distributed circumferentially. The first (22) of these protrusions which comes into contact with the front surface (16) of the neck of the bottle transmits the mechanical forces which cause the tear at the diametrically opposite rupture zone.

Detail of the growth

FIGS. 9 and 9A show detailed views of the cap and more particularly of the percussion pin constituted, in this example, by a percussion pin (22) having an arcuate shape extending for approximately 30 °, with a width corresponding substantially to the thickness of the front surface (16) of the neck of the bottle and a corresponding height sensitive to the pitch of the thread. Detail of the bottom of the body

Figures 10 and 11 respectively show a sectional view of a measuring cap according to the invention, and a detailed view of the connection of the metering body with the bottom (25).

This bottom has a disc transverse portion (29) extended by a tubular skirt (28) whose outer diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of the tubular body (4). This skirt (28) has an annular shoulder (26) forcibly engage in an annular groove (27) provided on the inner surface of the body (4).

Claims

claims

1 - Device consisting of a body (4) defining an interior volume (9) for receiving a liquid or powdery or pasty composition intended to be transferred into a container having a threaded neck, said device having a skirt (10) provided with a complementary thread to the thread of the neck (2) of said container, and a cap (8) connected to the inner wall of said body (4) by a peripheral zone of generally annular shape, characterized in that it has a line of rupture (12 ) located between said peripheral zone (13) and said cap (8), this peripheral annular zone (13) being configured to bear on the upper surface (16) of the neck (2) of the bottle during the screwing of the skirt (10) on the threaded neck of the container and to cause at least partial breaking of said breaking line (12).

2 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said annular peripheral zone (13) has a beak

(14) of tubular initial shape, close to the rupture line (12), and in that said periphery zone (13) and said spout (14) are deformed after screwing to form conical lips bearing against the surface from the neck of the bottle.

3 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said annular peripheral zone (13) has a hinge zone whose median radius is greater than R, R corresponding to the inner radius of the neck (2) of the bottle.

4 - Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that said annular zone (13) configured to bear on the front surface of the neck of the bottle is constituted by at least one stop (22) whose line median has a radius R where R substantially corresponds to the median radius of the threaded neck of said container.

5 - Device according to claims 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the abutment (22) is formed an outgrowth with respect to the outer surface of said lid (8).

6 - Device according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that said stop is located on the diametrically opposite side of the middle of said breaking line (12).

7 - Device according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that said abutment (22) is located in the middle of said breaking line (12).

8 - Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that said breaking line (12) extends over an arc of less than 360-A °, A being between 5 and 180 °. 9 - Device according to claim 6 characterized in that said line of rupture (12) extends over an arc of at least one line of rupture extends over an arc of less than 360-A °, A being between 5 and 180 ° and in that said stop is oriented in a direction opposite to the internal volume, at the median line of said protuberance having a radius R where R substantially corresponds to the median radius of the threaded neck of said container, said protuberance (22 ) being on an arc of A °. 10 - Device according to claim 8 characterized in that said hinge zone (13) whose median radius is greater than R, extending over an arc of at least A °.

11 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the lid is extended to its lower part by a firing pin extending perpendicularly to the surface of the lid (8).