WO1999064313A1

WO1999064313A1 - A dispenser capsule for containers of liquid or semiliquid products

Info

Publication number: WO1999064313A1
Application number: PCT/IT1999/000105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emilio Morini
Original assignee: Bormioli Rocco & Figlio S.P.A.
Priority date: 1998-06-12
Filing date: 1999-04-23
Publication date: 1999-12-16
Also published as: ITMO980129A1; IT1305478B1; AU3533399A

Abstract

A dispenser capsule (1) is applied on a container (2) having a mouth (3) and flexible walls, by pressing which a liquid product can be dispensed. A deformable diaphragm (4) closes the mouth (3) and exhibits a hole (5) through which the product can be dispensed from the container (2). A fixed obturator (7) is predisposed below the diaphragm (4). A lid (10) is positionable on the container (2) in such a way that the hole (5) is sealingly closed between the lid (10) and the obturator (7). In order to dispense the product the lid (10) is raised and the walls of the container (2) pressed so as to cause the diaphragm (4) to rise from the obturator (7). The capsule (1) and the container (2) together give rise to a package which is especially suitable for containing a liquid or semiliquid product, such as shampoo, liquid detergent and the like.

Description

A Dispenser Capsule for Containers of Liquid or Semiliquid Products.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a dispenser capsule for containers of liquid or semiliquid products. Background Art

Specifically, though not exclusively, the invention can be used in a dispenser for very dense liquids, such as shampoo, soap or liquid detergent, contained in a flagon with flexible walls, in which the product is dispensed in small doses by manually pressing the walls themselves.

Particular reference is made to a dispenser capsule of a type comprising a deformable diaphragm which closes the upper mouth of a container and which exhibits a hole through which the product can exit from the container. The diaphragm can be deformed outwardly of the container, generally following a manual pressure on the flexible walls of the container. This pressure is normally exerted in order to cause the liquid to exit from the container. A capsule of this type is already known in the prior art, in which the diaphragm is made of an elastomer material and the hole in the diaphragm is obtained by making two crossed cuts. When the flexible walls of the container are not pressed, the diaphragm has a non-deformed configuration, convex internalwise of the container. In this non-deformed configuration the hole is completely closed, since the lips of the cuts meet perfectly and form a seal. The product can be dispensed by exerting a sufficient pressure on the flexible walls of the container, until the diaphragm suddenly pops out causing the opening of the cuts and thus exit of the product through the hole in the diaphragm. When the walls of the container are released, the diaphragm returns elastically into the initial configuration, with the hole closed. During use the capsule will be frequently opened and closed to dispense small amounts of liquid. A drawback of known capsules is that they do not guarantee against accidental exit of small quantities of product, due to various causes, such as: unintentional crushing of the flexible walls of the container; keeping the container neck-down for long periods; wear on the lips of the cross-cuts, and others. A further drawback of known capsules is their relatively costly and complicated manufacturing process, especially bearing in mind the cost of the elastomer the diaphragm is made of, as well as the need for a mechanical operation to be made on the elastomer, namely in order to make the cross-cuts. The main aim of the present invention is to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks in the prior art by providing a dispenser capsule able to guarantee an effective seal against undesired seeping of product from the container.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a constructionally simple and economical capsule. In particular, the capsule guarantees effective seal while using relatively cheap materials to make the diaphragm. Further, there is no need to perform mechanical operations on the diaphragm to make the hole through which the product is dispensed.

A further advantage is to provide a capsule which is very practical to use and gives rapid results.

A still further advantage is that the invention provides a smooth dispensing delivery which never spits unexpectedly. These aims and advantages and others besides are all attained by the invention, as it is characterised in the claims that follow. Disclosure of Invention

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention and others besides will better emerge from the detailed description that follows of some preferred embodiments, illustrated by way of non-limiting examples in the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which: figure 1A is a vertical-plane section of a first embodiment of the capsule of the invention, applied on the mouth of a container and illustrated in a closed configuration; figure IB is the capsule of figure 1A, with the lid raised and in an open configuration in which the product can be dispensed; figure 2A is a vertical-plane section of a second embodiment of the capsule, applied on the mouth of a container and illustrated in a closed configuration; figure 2B is the capsule of figure 2A, with the lid raised and in an open configuration in which the product can be dispensed; figure 3 A is a vertical-plane section of a third embodiment of the capsule of the invention, applied on the mouth of a container and illustrated in a closed configuration; figure 3B is the capsule of figure 3A, with the lid raised and in an open configuration in which the product can be dispensed; figure 4A is a vertical-plane section of a fourth embodiment of the capsule of the invention, applied on the mouth of a container and illustrated in a closed configuration; figure 4B is the capsule of figure 4A, with the lid raised and in an open configuration in which the product can be dispensed. With reference to the above-described figures 1 A and IB, 1 denotes in its entirety a dispenser capsule applied on a container 2 exhibiting an upper mouth 3. The container 2 and the capsule 1 together make up an assembly destined to contain a relatively dense liquid or semi-liquid product, such as shampoo, liquid soap and the like. The container 2 is preferably provided with flexible walls; dispensing the liquid is done by squeezing the walls. Both the container 2 and the capsule 1 are preferably made of plastic. The capsule 1 comprises a deformable diaphragm 4 which closes the mouth 3 and exhibits a hole 5 through which the product can exit from the container 2. The diaphragm 4 can be made of plastic, such as for example polyethylene, and can be produced by pressing. The hole 5 is obtained during the pressing process so there is no need for subsequent mechanical operations. The diaphragm 4 can assume a position in which it is deformed in an upwards direction, i.e. towards the outside of the container 2. In this deformed configuration, illustrated in figure IB, the diaphragm is slightly convex upwards. The diaphragm 4 is constrained to a rigid body, applied on the mouth 3 of the container 2 and having a lateral skirt 6 coupled to the mouth by means of a screw connection. The capsule 1 also comprises a fixed obturator 7 arranged below the diaphragm 4, for closing the hole 5. The obturator 7 is connected solidly to the rigid body by a joint element with openings 8 enabling the product to pass through. The joint element can be made, for example, using a perforated diaphragm, or a plurality of radial ribbings, or some other like solution. The obturator 7 comprises a hollow body, elongate in a vertical direction, superiorly closed and having a lower end to which an end of the joint element with openings 8 is attached. The obturator 7 comprises an annular sealing zone 7a which the edge of the diaphragm 4 can seal against. The obturator 7 further exhibits a protuberance 7b which is raised centrally from the annular sealing zone 7a. The protuberance slightly narrows in an upwards direction.

When the diaphragm 4 is not deformed externalwise, it contacting interacts with the fixed obturator 7 so as to close the hole 5 (see figure 1A). When the diaphragm 4 assumes the deformed position shown in figure IB, it is raised from the obturator 7 so as to open the hole 5 and allow the product to flow out. The diaphragm 4 comprises a peripheral part 4a coupled to an annular lip 9 made in a single piece with the rigid body and predisposed above the part of the rigid body exhibiting the skirt 6. The annular relief 9, which projects upwardly, is joint-coupled in a recess afforded on the peripheral part 4a of the diaphragm 4. The diaphragm 4 further comprises an intermediate part 4b, substantially truncoconical in shape with its diameter decreasing as it progresses upwardly, and a central part 4c bearing the hole 5, which central part 4c has a relatively large surface that is more susceptible than the other parts to deformation. The truncoconical intermediate part 4b has a larger-diameter bottom end connected to the peripheral part 4a and a smaller-diameter upper end connected to the periphery of the central part 4c. The capsule 1 comprises a lid 10 which is removably positionable on the container 2 in a position in which it covers the diaphragm 4 and interacts with the obturator 7 to sealingly close the hole 5 (figure 1 A). The lid 10 exhibits a closing element 11, preferably annular, which projects towards the bottom from the internal surface of the lid 10 itself. The closing element 11 presses the edge of the diaphragm 4 delimiting the hole 5 against the obturator 7, as illustrated in figure 1A. When the lid 10 is applied on the container 2, the hole 5 is closed, as it is obstructed by the closing element 11 which prevents the diaphragm 4 from being raised. When the lid 10 is applied on the container 2, the surface of the lid 10 situated internally of the closing element 11 interacts contactingly with the truncoconical protuberance 7b of the obturator. In the example illustrated in figures 1A and IB the lid 10 is applied on the container 2 by means of a removable coupling comprising an annular rib 12, projecting from the inside surface of the lid 10, which lodges just below the lower end of the lateral skirt 6 of the rigid body.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, which comprises various elements which are basically the same as in the first embodiment, which elements retain the reference numbers used in the relative figures. The lid 10 is coupled to the skirt 6 by a screw-coupling. A security tear- off strip 13 is connected to the lower end of the lid 10 by easy-break ribbings. The strip 13, which exhibits an annular rib 14 couplable below the skirt 6 (see figure 2A), will detach on first unscrewing of the lid 10, as shown in figure 2B. The skirt 6 of the rigid body is coupled on the mouth 3 by means of a rib 15 projecting inwardly, which joints just below a corresponding projection on the mouth 3. A crown of elongate tabs 16, extending in a parallel direction to the axis of the mouth 3, is located on the internal surface of the skirt 6. The tabs 16 insert in a corresponding crown of teeth projecting from the mouth 3. The skirt 6 is thus solidly constrained to the mouth 3 so as to prevent both lifting and rotations. Figures 3 A and 3B illustrate a third embodiment of the invention, which comprises various elements which are the same as in the first and second embodiments, and which retain the same reference numbers. The skirt 6 is constrained to the mouth 3 as in the embodiment of figures 2 A and 2B. In the present embodiment the lid 10 functions as a security device discouraging children from trying to open the capsule. The anti-intrusion lid 10 is coupled to the mouth 3 by a bayonet-type joint-coupling in which one or more teeth 17 can be inserted in relative seatings 18 afforded on a flanged part of the mouth 3. The engaging and disengaging of the lid 10 are done by rotating the lid 10 itself. Raising the lid 10 and therefore the opening of the capsule are possible only when the teeth 17 are aligned with corresponding seatings 18.

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention, which comprises various elements basically the same as in the first embodiment, which elements retain the reference numbers used in the relative figures. The skirt 6 is constrained to the mouth 3, for example by a solid connection such as the ones illustrated in figures 2A, 2B, 3 A and 3B. The lid 10 exhibits an end 19 which is hinged to a tubular support 20 constrained to the mouth 3 and at least another end 21 which is couplable, through a removable joint, to the support 20 itself. Applying and removing the lid 10 is done simply by rotating it about the hinged end 19. The tubular support 20 is mounted on the mouth 3, for example through an annular rib 22 which lodges below the lower end of the skirt 6. In a further embodiment of the capsule of the invention, it would be possible to make the capsule of figures 4 A and 4B hinging the lid 10 directly to the skirt 6. In this version the skirt 6 and the tubular support 20 would be a single piece bearing the lid 10 and shaped so as to surround the mouth 3. In all the above-described embodiments, the lid 10 can be positioned (figures IB, 2B, 3B and 4B) in such a way that the hole 5 is closed between the obturator 7, located below the diaphragm 4, and the closing element 11, located there-above. The lid 10, when mounted on the container 2, interacts contactingly with the diaphragm 4 so as to sealingly close the hole 5.

To dispense a dose of the product, it is sufficient to raise the lid 10 and press against the flexible wall of the container 2 in order to cause the diaphragm 4 to rise away from the obturator 7 and allow the liquid to flow out.

When the lid 10 is mounted on the container 2, the product does not flow out, not even when the flexible walls are squeezed, or when the container 2 is upturned.

Claims

Claims.

1). A dispensing capsule for a container (2) having a mouth (3) and being destined to contain a liquid or semiliquid product, comprising a deformable diaphragm (4) which closes the mouth (3) and which exhibits a hole (5) through which the product can flow out of the container (2), the diaphragm (4) being able to assume a deformed position outwardly of the container (2); wherein the capsule comprises a fixed obturator (7) predisposed below the diaphragm (4) for closing the hole (5); the obturator (7) being unable to close the hole (5) when the diaphragm (4) is in said deformed position.

2). The capsule of claim 1, comprising a lid (10) which can be removably positioned on the container (2) in such a position as to cover the diaphragm (4) and collaborate with the obturator (7) to sealingly close the hole (5).

3). The capsule of claim 2, wherein the lid (10) exhibits a closing element (11), preferably annular, which projects downwardly from an internal surface of the lid (10), said closing element (11) being able to press an edge of the diaphragm (4) delimiting the hole (5) against the obturator (7).

4). The capsule of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the obturator (7) comprises an annular sealing zone (7a) which the edge of the diaphragm (4) delimiting the hole (5) can contact sealingly, and a protuberance (7b) which rises upwards from a centre of said annular sealing zone (7a).

5). The capsule of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a skirt (6) constrained to the mouth (3), to which skirt (6) the obturator (7) is solidly constrained.

6). The capsule of claim 5, wherein the obturator (7) is connected to the skirt (6) by a joint element having openings (8) which enable the product to flow out of the container (2).

7). The capsule of claim 6, wherein the obturator (7) is vertically elongate and exhibits a bottom end to which an end of the joint element is constrained.

8). The capsule of any one of claims from 5 to 7, wherein the diaphragm (4) comprises a peripheral part (4a) coupled to the skirt (6).

9). The capsule of claim 8, wherein the skirt (6) superiorly exhibits an annular lip (9) which projects upwardly and to which a recess afforded in the peripheral part (4a) of the diaphragm (4) can be coupled.

10). The capsule of claim 8 or 9, wherein the diaphragm (4) comprises a truncoconical intermediate part (4b) having a larger bottom end connected to the peripheral part (4a); the diaphragm (4) further comprising a central part (4c) bearing the hole (5) and having a periphery which is connected to an upper end of the intermediate part (4b).

11). The capsule of any one of claims from 5 to 10, wherein the skirt (6) is coupled to the mouth (3) by a screw connection and the lid (10) is coupled to the skirt (6) by a removable coupling. 12). The capsule of any one of claims from 5 to 10, wherein the lid (10) is coupled to the skirt (6) by a screw connection and is provided with a security strip (13) destined to detach on firt unscrewing of the lid (10).

13). The capsule of any one of claims from 1 to 10, wherein the lid (10) is coupled to the mouth (3) by means of a child-proof security device comprising a bayonet-type joint-coupling.

14). The capsule of any one of claims from 1 to 10, wherein the lid (10) exhibits an end (19) which is hinged to a tubular support (20) constrained to the mouth (3) and at least one other end (21) which is couplable, by a removable joint, to said support (20).

15). A dispenser cap as in any one of the preceding claims, for a container (2) having a mouth (3) and being destined to contain a liquid or semiliquid product, comprising a deformable diaphragm (4) which closes the mouth (3) and which exhibits a hole (5) through which the product can flow out of the container (2), the diaphragm being able to assume a deformed position in an outwards direction with respect to the container (2), wherein it comprises a lid (10) which is removably positionable on the container (2) in a position in which the lid (10) covers the diaphragm (4) and interacts contactingly with the diaphragm in order to sealingly close the hole (5).

16). A package for a liquid or semiliquid product, comprising a container (2) for the product, provided with flexible walls, wherein the product can flow out of the container (2) by effect of a pressure on the walls and wherein the package comprises a dispenser capsule as in any of the preceding claims.