RECIPIENT TO DISPENSE OR RECEIVE A PRODUCT FOR IN SITU MIXING

Abstract

The invention relates to a blow-molded recipient including a reservoir, the reservoir having a bottom wall including an opening, a central element arranged at the opening of the reservoir, and a socket arranged to surround the central element. Both the socket and the central element show a lower end and an upper end and are connected by their respective upper ends by a disc with a central aperture. The assembly includes the socket, the central element and the disc, forming a ring that comes into one piece. At least a part of the bottom wall of the reservoir is arranged to face the disc. The reservoir is irreversibly fixed to the ring.

Claims

1. A process of injection blow molding or injection stretch blow molding of an article; the process comprising a step of injection molding of a preform (17) on a core pin followed by a step of blow molding or stretch blow molding of said preform (17); the process is characterized in that the article is a recipient (1) that is a blow-molded article comprising: a reservoir (3), the reservoir (3) having a bottom wall (5) comprising an opening (7); a central element (9, 57) arranged at the opening (7) of the reservoir (3); a socket (11) arranged to surround the central element (9, 57); in that both the socket (11) and the central element (9, 57) show a lower end and an upper end, and are connected by their respective upper ends by means of a disc (13) with a central aperture, wherein the assembly comprising the socket (11), the central element (9, 57) and the disc (13) is forming a ring (15) that comes into one piece in that at least a part of the bottom wall (5) of the reservoir is arranged to face the disc (13);in that the ring (15) and the reservoir (3) also come into one piece so that the reservoir is irreversibly fixed to the ring (15); wherein the socket (11) shows an internal relief (25) being an internal thread; and in that the step of blow molding or stretch blow molding of the preform (17) is followed by a step of unscrewing the article from the core pin performed before a step of ejection of said article; the reservoir has a single opening (7) being the opening (7) of the bottom wall.

2. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the bottom wall (5) of the reservoir is irreversibly fixed to the ring (15) by welding on the upper face of the disc (13) so that the recipient (1) shows a weld line on its outer surface.

3. The process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ring (15) shows one or more holding reliefs (27, 29, 31).

4. The process according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer surface of the central element (9, 57) is facing at least one internal relief (25) of the socket (11) and wherein the at least one internal relief (25) of the socket (11) is different from the one or more holding reliefs (27, 29, 31) of the ring (15).

5. The process according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the one or more holding reliefs (27, 29, 31) are selected from one or more flats on the outer surface of the socket (11); one or more grooves or ribs extending along the length of the socket (11) and placed on the outer surface of the socket (11); one or more lugs on the inner surface of the tube (9) when the central element is a tube (9); one or more grooves or ribs extending along the length of the tube (9) and placed on the inner surface of the tube (9) when the central element is a tube (9); one or more notches in the thickness of the lower end of the socket (11) and/or in the thickness of the lower end of the tube (9) when the the central element is a tube (9), a crenellation of the lower end of the socket (11) and/or of the lower end of the tube (9) when the central element is a tube (9).

6. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the recipient is a blow molded article selected from an injection blow molded article or an injection stretch blow molded article.

7. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reservoir (3) has a wall having a thickness of at most 1.0 mm; preferably, at most 0.9 mm; more preferably, at most 0.8 mm.

8. The process according to claim 7, characterized in that the reservoir (3) is surrounded by a housing made of one or more materials that can be the same or different from the material constituting the ring (15).

9. The process according to claim 8, characterized in that the one or more materials of the housing are selected from plastic material, metal, wood, glass, cardboard, paper or any mixture thereof.

10. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the central element is a tube (9) and the lower end of the tube (9) shows a beveled or twisted shape so that the tube (9) shows a variation in length.

11. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the central element is a tube (9) and the lower end of the tube (9) is straight so that the tube (9) shows no variation in length.

12. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the reservoir (3) is dimensioned to have a width greater than the diameter of the opening (7).

13. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the width of the reservoir (3) is at least 1.1 times greater than the diameter of the opening (7).

14. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the ring (15) and the reservoir (3) are made of plastic material being a thermoplastic material selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactide and any mixture thereof, or is made of plastic material being one or more polyester.

15. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the ring (15) and the reservoir (3) are made of polyethylene terephthalate.

16. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the ring (15) and/or at least a part of the reservoir (3) is made of a plastic material comprising at least 30 wt. % of post-consumer resin based on the total weight of the plastic material; with preference at least 50 wt. %; or at least 60 wt. %; or is entirely made of post-consumer resin.

17. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the socket shows an inner smooth surface, or the socket (11) shows an internal relief (25).

18. The process according to claim 17 characterized in that the socket (11) shows an internal relief (25). and in that the internal relief (25) of the socket (11) is an internal thread or is one or more lugs or is one or more grooves.

19. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the disc (13) has a lower face arranged internally to the ring (15) and in that the lower face of the disc (13) shows one or more securing means (39), or in that a sealing washer is fixed to the lower face of the disc (13).

20. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the central element is a tube (9) and the recipient (1) further comprises sealing means (37) arranged to close the tube (9) at its lower end so that the product contained in the recipient (1) is stored in both the reservoir (3) and the tube (9).

21. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the recipient is a cartridge that is suitable to cooperate with the neck of a container to allow a product contained in the recipient (1) to flow out into said container; characterized in that the central element is a tube (9) and the recipient (1) further comprises moveable sealing means (37) arranged to close the tube (9) at its lower end, the moveable sealing means (37) comprising a cylindrical body (43) with a higher and a lower aperture, and one or more flaps (41) closing the lower aperture of the cylindrical body (43), wherein said cylindrical body (43) is dimensioned to surround the tube (9) and to slide along it between a closing and an opening position, wherein in the opening position the one or more flaps (41) are opened by the pressure exerted by the tube (9) on said flaps (41).

22. The process according to claim 21, characterized in that one or more flaps (41) are linked to the cylindrical body (43); with preference, all the one or more flaps (41) are linked to the cylindrical body.

23. The process according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the socket (11) shows an internal relief (25) and the moveable sealing means (37) comprises at least one collar (45, 47) arranged on the external side of the cylindrical body (43) and configured to cooperate with the neck (51) of a container to allow the moveable sealing means (37) to slide along the tube (9) by a pressure exerted on said collar (45, 47) by the neck (51) of the container causing the opening of the one or more flaps (41) and in that at least one collar (45, 47) of the moveable sealing means (37) comprises holding lugs (49) configured to cooperate with the internal relief (25) of the socket (11) to maintain the moveable sealing means (37) in position inside the socket (11), closing the tube (9).

24. The process according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the movable sealing means (37) comprises two collars (45, 47) distributed along the cylindrical body (43) to show a lower collar (45) and an upper collar (47) wherein the lower collar (45) is the one arranged to cooperate with the neck (51) of the container and/or wherein the upper collar (47) of the moveable sealing means (37) comprises holding lugs (49) configured to cooperate with an internal thread (25) of the socket (11) to maintain the moveable sealing means (25) in position inside the socket (11), closing the tube (9).

25. The process according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the socket (11) shows a lower aperture dimensioned to receive the neck (51) of the container, wherein the lower aperture has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the one or more collars (45, 47) of the movable sealing means (37).

26. The process according to any one of claims 20 to 24 characterized in that the moveable sealing means (37) comprise a plurality of flaps, each flap having at least one side in common with an adjacent flap and whose distal end forms a junction point or a junction line to said plurality of flaps and in that the lower end of the tube (9) is arranged to exert a pressure on the proximal end on the flaps to open them when the moveable sealing means slide along the tube (9).

27. The process according to any one of claims 20 to 24 characterized in that the moveable sealing means (37) comprise a single flap (41), wherein the flap (41) is connected to the cylindrical body (43) or to a collar (45, 47) by a frangible zone defining a perimeter of rupture, suitable to be ruptured by a pressure exerted by the lower end of the tube (9) to open it when the moveable means slide along said tube (9), in that the assembly formed by the flap (41) and one or more selected from the cylindrical body (43) and one or more collars (45, 47) come into one piece; and in that the frangible zone is a portion of the flap having a reduced thickness; with preference, the flap is further connected to a collar (45, 47) by at least one hinge (55) in a form of a leg showing an extra thickness portion.

28. The process according to any one claims 1 to 26, wherein the recipient (1) is a container that is suitable to cooperate with the neck (63) of a cartridge (59); characterized in that the central element is a blade (57) suitable to cut the sealing means of the cartridge (59), or a spur suitable to push the sealing means of the cartridge (59) to allow a product contained in the cartridge (59) to flow out into said container; with preference, the central element is a blade (57) and the blade is selected from a pick, a bevel (57) or a tube with a beveled or twisted shape.

29. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the recipient comprises a ring and a reservoir and in that the process comprises a step of welding of the reservoir to the ring and in that the step of blow molding or stretch blow molding the preform (17) to form an article and the step of welding of the reservoir to the ring are done simultaneously.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0054] Other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will be clearer after reading the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings provided, in which:

[0055] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a monobloc recipient according to the disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates the preform that may be used to produce a monobloc recipient.

[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of holding reliefs that may be shown by a recipient according to the disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates another example of holding reliefs that may be shown by a recipient according to the disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates another example of holding reliefs that may be shown by a recipient according to the disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 6 illustrates the injection blow-molding process.

[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates the welding of the lower wall of the reservoir to the disc of the ring during the blow molding step.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a representation of the outside of the recipient.

[0063] FIG. 9 shows a recipient according to the disclosure wherein the reservoir has a wall surrounded by a housing.

[0064] FIG. 10 is an upper view of an example of moveable sealing means.

[0065] FIG. 11 is a lower view of an example of moveable sealing means.

[0066] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a monobloc recipient according to the disclosure comprising moveable sealing means in their closed position.

[0067] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a monobloc recipient according to the disclosure comprising moveable sealing means in their opened position.

[0068] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a monobloc recipient according to the disclosure acting as a container and cooperating with a cartridge.

[0069] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a set according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] In the following description, the term “comprise” is synonymous with “include” and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the recipient or the movable sealing means. It is understood that the term “comprise” includes the wording “consist of”. Similarly, the terms “inferior”, “superior”, “lower”, “higher” and “upper” will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the recipient when used to dispense a product in a container. Thus, “lower” will mean greater ground proximity than “higher” or “upper” along the vertical axis. In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0071] Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 14. In FIG. 1, a recipient 1 according to the disclosure is depicted, said recipient 1 is suitable to cooperate with the neck of a container (see FIGS. 12 and 13) to allow a product contained in the recipient 1 to flow out into said container. In FIG. 14, a recipient 1 according to the disclosure is depicted, said recipient 1 is suitable to cooperate with the neck 63 of a cartridge 59 to allow a product contained in the reservoir 61 of the cartridge 59 to flow out into a reservoir 3 of the recipient 1.

[0072] On FIG. 1 the recipient 1 is depicted without sealing means. The recipient 1 comprises a reservoir 3 which is suitable to contain said product, the reservoir having wall including a bottom wall 5 comprising an opening 7; a central element being a tube 9 arranged at the opening 7 of the reservoir 3; a socket 11 arranged to surround the tube 9.

[0073] According to the disclosure, the central element (9, 57) can be selected from a tube 9 and/or a blade 57. In FIGS. 1 to 7, 9, 12 and 13, the central element is depicted as a tube 9. The central element (9,57) is advantageously selected to be a tube 9 when the recipient 1 is a cartridge that is suitable to cooperate with the neck of a container to allow a product contained in the recipient to flow out into said container. In FIG. 14, the central element (9, 57) is depicted as a blade 57. The central element (9, 57) is advantageously selected to be a blade 57 when the recipient 1 is a container that is suitable to cooperate with the neck 63 of a cartridge 59 to allow a product contained in the cartridge 59 to flow out into the reservoir 3 of said recipient 1.

[0074] According to the disclosure, both the socket 11 and the central element (9; 57) show a lower end and an upper end and are connected by their respective upper ends by means of a disc 13 with a central aperture, so that the disc is arranged at their upper ends. The assembly comprising the socket 11, the central element (9; 57) and the disc 13 is forming a ring 15 that comes into one piece (i.e., are integral).

[0075] As it will be seen in details, the recipient is a blow-molded recipient and the ring 15 forms part of the recipient but also of the preform used to produce the recipient. Thus, the ring can be produced by moulding a plastic material. In the recipient 1 of the disclosure, at least a part of the bottom wall 5 of the reservoir is arranged to face the disc 13 and the reservoir 3 is irreversibly fixed to the ring 15 by welding.

[0076] Since the reservoir is facing, by means of at least a part of its bottom wall, the disc of the ring the recipient shows two layers at the interface between the ring and the reservoir. These layers are welded. The presence of these two layers allows more flexibility in the conception of the reservoir and therefore it allows the reservoir to have any targeted dimension or shape.

[0077] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ring 15 and the whole reservoir 3 come into one piece. In other words, the socket 11, the central element (9; 57), the disc 13 and the reservoir 3 come into one piece (i.e., are integral). The recipient is therefore said to be monobloc since it is built into a single piece except for the sealing means. According to the disclosure, the recipient 1 is a blow-molded article. For example, the recipient 1 is an injection blow molded article or an injection stretch blow molded article. The opening 7 of the reservoir which is placed in continuity with the central element (9; 57) is therefore also used to fill the reservoir. The reservoir has a single opening 7 arranged on the bottom wall.

[0078] In an embodiment (not illustrated), the socket shows an inner smooth surface. In another embodiment (as illustrated in the figures), the socket shows an internal relief.

[0079] FIG. 2 illustrates the blow molding process used to produce the recipient 1 of the disclosure wherein a preform 17 has been produced by molding or injection molding and then blown to form the reservoir of the recipient. In FIG. 2, the shape of the reservoir formed by blowing is represented in dotted lines. The preform 17 comprises a longitudinal body 19 having a base at one longitudinal end and an opposite end adjoining a neck section 21 provided with a pouring aperture. The preform 17 according to the disclosure is remarkable in that the neck section 21 is a ring 15 comprising a central element 9 and a socket 11 surrounding the central element 9 wherein both the socket 11 and the central element 9 show a lower end and an upper end, and are connected by their respective upper ends by means of a disc 13 with a central aperture. For example, the diameter of the longitudinal body 19 is smaller than the diameter of the neck section 21 so that the neck section shows a shoulder 23 at the base of the longitudinal body 19.

[0080] It is understood that the ring 15 of the neck section 21 of the preform 17 is the same as the ring 15 of the recipient 1 according to the disclosure. Thus, features describing the ring 15 of the neck section 21 of the preform 17 are also features describing the ring 15 of the recipient. For example, stating that the inner surface of the socket of the ring is smooth means that the socket of the ring of the neck section of the preform shows an inner smooth surface, and as a consequence, the socket of the ring of the recipient formed from the preform also shows an inner smooth surface. For example, stating that the socket 11 of the ring 15 shows an internal relief means that the socket 11 of the ring 15 of the neck section 21 of the preform 17 shows an internal relief 25, and as a consequence, the socket 11 of the ring 15 of the recipient 1 formed from the preform 17 also shows an internal relief 25. The indication that the socket 11 of the ring 15 shows an internal relief 25 is valid when the recipient 1 is a blow-molded article selected from an injection blow molded article or an injection stretch blow molded article.

[0081] For example, the socket 11 of the ring 15 shows an internal relief 25; with preference, the internal relief 25 of the socket 11 is an internal thread or is one or more lugs or is one or more grooves. For example, the outer surface of the central element (9; 57) is facing at least one internal relief 25 of the socket 11. For example, the length of the socket 11 is greater or equal to the length of the central element (9; 57). For example, the disc 13, the socket 11 and the tube 9 are arranged concentrically. For example, the internal thread is continuous or is discontinuous.

[0082] Wherein, the socket 11 of the ring 15 of the neck section is showing an internal relief 25 and the recipient is an injection blow molded article or an injection stretch blow molded article, the ring 15 of the preform 17, and by consequence, the ring 15 of the recipient will preferably show one or more holding reliefs (27, 29, 31) configured to avoid the rotation of the recipient relative to a core pin of the injection blow molding apparatus or the injection stretch blow molding apparatus. The presence of the holding reliefs (27, 29, 31) eases unscrewing and demolding of the new recipient, according to the disclosure, during the production of the recipient by an injection blow molding process or an injection stretch blow molding process as discussed below.

[0083] For example, the one or more holding reliefs (27, 29, 31), as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, are selected from one or more flats 31 on the outer surface of the socket 11; one or more grooves or ribs extending along the length of the socket 11 and placed on the outer surface of the socket 11; one or more lugs on the inner surface of the tube 9 when the central element is a tube 9; one or more grooves or ribs 27 extending along the length of the tube 9 and placed on the inner surface of the tube 9 when the central element is a tube; one or more notches 29 in the thickness of the lower end of the socket 11 and/or in the thickness of the lower end of the tube 9 when the central element is a tube, a crenellation of the lower end of the socket 11 and/or of the lower end of the tube 9 when the central element is a tube.

[0084] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of holding reliefs according to the disclosure wherein one or more ribs 27 are extending along the length of the tube 9 and placed on the inner surface of the tube 9. FIG. 4 illustrates another example of holding reliefs according to the disclosure wherein one or more notches 29 are formed in the thickness of the lower end of the socket 11. FIG. 5 illustrates another example of holding reliefs according to the disclosure wherein at least one flat 31 is present on the outer surface of the socket 11.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment, at least a part of the bottom wall 5 of the reservoir arranged to face the disc 13 is irreversibly fixed to the upper face of the disc 13 by welding during the blow molding process such as the injection blow molding process or the injection stretch blow molding process.

[0086] Injection blow molding and injection stretch blow molding are well-known techniques to the person skilled in the art that will not be described in detail here. It is nevertheless stated that the preform 17 of FIG. 2 is, in a first time, injection molded onto a core pin in an injection station. To this end, the apparatus preferably comprises an extruder and screw assembly that melt the polymer. The polymer is, for example, a thermoplastic material selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactide and any mixture thereof, or is a plastic material being one or more polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate. The molten polymer is fed into a hot runner manifold where it is injected through nozzles to a cavity mold surrounding a core pin. The cavity mold forms the external shape of the preform 17 and the core pin the internal shape. The ring 15 is formed at the injection stage as the neck section of the preform 17. The reservoir is not yet formed but come into one piece (i.e., is integral) with the ring 15 as an attached thick tube of polymer, similar in appearance to a test tube.

[0087] Then, the preform mold opens and the core pin is brought with the preform 17 to a blow molding station, for example by rotating, to be inflated. The preform 17 is clamped into a blow mold that forms the external shape of the reservoir. For example, the diameter of the longitudinal body 19 is smaller than the diameter of the neck section so that the neck section shows a shoulder 23 at the base of the longitudinal body 19. The neck section 21 can be inserted in the blow mold or not. It is preferable that the neck section 21 is inserted at least in part in the blow mold.

[0088] In case it is not inserted into the blow mold the final recipient will have at least a part of the bottom wall 5 of the reservoir arranged to face the disc and the reservoir is irreversibly fixed to the ring 15 through the central element (9; 57).

[0089] During the blowing step due to the pressure exerted on the inner surface of the longitudinal body by compressed air, the longitudinal body inflates to form a reservoir 3 wherein the bottom wall 5 is placed to face the disc 13 as illustrated in FIG. 6, as an intermediate position. Then further pressure exerted by the compressed air resulting in the bottom wall 5 being pressed against the upper face of the disc 13 of the ring 15 and welded to it. It is understood that, the steps of blowing the reservoir and welding of the reservoir to the ring are a single step performed in the same mold (i.e., the steps of blowing the reservoir and welding of the reservoir to the ring are done simultaneously and in the same mold).

[0090] As a result of the welding of the bottom wall of the reservoir 3 on the ring 15, the recipient 1 shows a weld line 33 on its outer surface as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0091] It is possible with a specific design of the mold that the reservoir be not welded to the ring and that the bottom wall of the reservoir is facing the disc of the ring. The reservoir will nevertheless still be irreversibly fixed to the ring because it is integral with it.

[0092] The injection blow molded article or an injection stretch blow molded article is then ejected. In such a case, the person skilled in the art would have an advantage to eject the article before it has completely cooled. The ejection of the article can be made by force by pushing the article to detach it from the core pin. However, to preserve the internal relief 25 of the socket 11 when it is an internal thread, the ejection is made in two steps. In the first step, the recipient is unscrewed from the base of core pin on that shows the complementary relief used to mold said internal relief 25 of the socket 11. Then, in a subsequent step, the recipient is pushed to be ejected from the core pin.

[0093] To allow the unscrewing of the recipient during the production process, and to allow it to be performed on an industrial way, the ring 15 of the recipient will preferably show one or more holding reliefs (27, 29, 31) configured to avoid the rotation of the recipient relative to the core pin of the injection blow molding apparatus or the injection stretch blow molding apparatus on which the ring was molded.

[0094] The presence of the one or more holding reliefs (27, 29, 31) is therefore advantageous to the unscrewing and demolding with ejection of the article automatically and industrially.

[0095] Since the recipient is a blow-molded article it is possible for the reservoir to have a thin wall. Thus, in an embodiment, the reservoir has a wall thickness of at most 1.0 mm; preferably at most 0.9 mm; more preferably at most 0.8 mm. For example, the reservoir has a wall thickness of at least 0.3 mm.

[0096] In an embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the reservoir 1 is surrounded by a housing 77 made of one or more materials that can be the same or different from the material constituting the ring. With preference, the one or more materials of the housing are selected from plastic material, metal, wood, glass, cardboard, paper or any mixture thereof. This embodiment allows using a reservoir having a thin wall, since additional rigidity is then provided by the housing. However, it can be used with a reservoir having a thick wall as well. For example, at least a part of the reservoir or the whole reservoir 1 is surrounded by a housing 77 made of one or more materials different from the material constituting the ring. It is understood that the reservoir and the housing are not integral. The housing 77 can be glued or not glued to the reservoir and/or to the ring.

[0097] For example, the reservoir 3 is dimensioned to have a width greater than the diameter of the opening 7 or the tube 9; with preference, the width of the reservoir 3 is at least 1.1 times greater than the diameter of the opening 7 or the tube 9, more preferably, at least 1.2 times greater; more preferably at least 1.5 times greater, even more preferably at least 1.8 times greater, most preferably at least 2.0 times greater; or at least 2.5 times greater.

[0098] The recipient 1 is a blow-molded article selected from an injection blow molded article or an injection stretch blow molded article, the ring 15 and the reservoir come into one piece and are preferably made from the same material. After injection of the preform, the reservoir is blown from the preform into the mold and can weld to the ring due to the high temperature of the plastic. This process takes place in the mold in one step.

[0099] For example, the recipient comprises a ring and a reservoir and in that the process comprise a step of welding of the reservoir to the ring and in that the step of blow molding or stretch blow molding the preform 17 to form an article and the step of welding of the reservoir to the ring are done simultaneously.

[0100] For example, the ring 15 is made of a plastic material being a thermoplastic material selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactide and any mixture thereof, or is a plastic material being one or more polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate; and the housing 77 or at least a part of the housing 77 is made of one or more material selected from plastic material, metal, wood, glass, cardboard and paper; wherein the plastic material is a thermoplastic material selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactide and any mixture thereof, or is a plastic material being one or more polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate. In case of bi-injection the ring 15 and the reservoir 3 can be integral (i.e., come into one piece) but made of different plastic material. With preference, the ring and the reservoir are made from the same plastic material.

[0101] For example, the ring 15 and/or the reservoir 3 is made of a plastic material comprising at least 30 wt. % of post-consumer resin based on the total weight of the plastic material; with preference, at least 40 wt. %; or at least 50 wt. %; or at least 60 wt. %; or is entirely made of post-consumer resin (i.e. 100 wt. %). For example, wherein the post-consumer resin is a blend of recycled polypropylene and recycled polyethylene, wherein the content of the recycled polyethylene is ranging from 2 to 20 wt. % relative to the total weight of the post-consumer resin. For example, wherein the post-consumer resin is a blend of recycled polypropylene and recycled polyethylene, wherein the content of the recycled polypropylene is ranging from 2 to 20 wt. % relative to the total weight of the post-consumer resin.

[0102] For example, the central aperture of the disc 13 has a diameter equal to or greater than the opening 7 of the reservoir 3; and/or the central aperture of the disc 13 has a diameter equal or lower than the internal diameter of the tube 9.

[0103] For example, the length of the socket 11 is greater or equal to the length of the central element (9; 57); and/or the disc, the socket 11 and the central element (9; 57) are arranged concentrically; and/or the socket 11 shows an internal relief 25 which faces the central element (9; 57); with preference, the internal relief 25 of the socket 11 is an internal thread or one or more lugs or one or more grooves.

[0104] Wherein the central element (9; 57) is a tube 9, the recipient 1 of the disclosure may further comprise sealing means 37 arranged to close the tube 9 at its lower end. In such a configuration illustrated in FIG. 12, the product contained in the recipient 1 can flow into the tube 9 but not outside the recipient 1 when the recipient 1 is sealed. Thus, the product contained in the recipient 1 is stored in both the reservoir 3 and the tube 9.

[0105] When said recipient 1 is arranged on the neck 51 of a container, it allows the fluid product or the powder to flow out into said container. The container is preferably filled with a liquid, thus the product and the liquid form a solution. For example, the recipient 1 comprises means 25 to be screwed on the neck of the container allowing the possibility to safely shake the assembly formed by the recipient 1 and the container to mix the product and the liquid. These means are preferably the internal relief of the socket. The user can later have access to the solution by removing the recipient 1 from the neck of the container.

[0106] The product flows out from the reservoir 3 into the interior of the container as a result of gravity as illustrated by an arrow in FIG. 13. As an alternative to this, the reservoir can be a flexible material which is suitable to be compressed to force the product to flow out from the reservoir into the container, for example through a valve produced in a resilient material.

[0107] For example, to allow the user to safely shake the container and the recipient 1, the ring 15 will comprise securing means 39 that preferably cooperate with the sealing means 37 for that purpose. For example, the disc 13 has a lower face arranged internally to the ring 15 and the lower face of the disc 13 shows one or more reliefs or a sealing washer is fixed to the lower face of the disc. When the lower face of the disc 13 shows one or more reliefs 39 the said relief may have an additional function of reducing the travel of the sealing means 37 on the tube 9.

[0108] An example of suitable movable sealing means 37 for closing the reservoir 3 is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. The movable sealing means 37 comprises at least one or a plurality of movable flaps 41. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the movable sealing means 37 comprises a single flap 41. In a preferred manner, said movable sealing means 37 can control the closing and the opening of the reservoir in a reversible and reproducible manner. In a disposable version of the present recipient, the movable means are no longer able to serve to close the reservoir again once the one or more flaps have been opened.

[0109] Thus, the recipient 1 may comprise moveable sealing means 37 to close the opening of the reservoir by closing the tube 9 of the ring 15. The moveable sealing means 37 comprise a cylindrical body 43 and one or more flaps 41 closing off the lower aperture of the cylindrical body 43. The cylindrical body 43 is dimensioned to surround the tube 9 of the ring 15 and to slide along it between a closing and an opening position. In the closing position, the one or more flaps 41 close the lower aperture of the tube 9. In the opening position, the one or more flaps 41 are opened by the pressure exerted by the lower end of the tube 9 on said flaps, and the lower end of the tube 9 passes through the cylindrical body 43 of the movable sealing means 37. The moveable sealing 37 means further comprise at least one collar (45, 47) configured to cooperate with the neck of the container to allow the moveable sealing means 37 to slide along the tube 9 by the pressure exerted on said collar by the neck of the container thereby causing the opening of the one or more flaps 41. For example, the movable sealing means 37 come into one piece, i.e. the cylindrical body 43, the one or more flaps 41 and the least one collar (45, 47) come into one piece. The movable sealing means 37 can be made of a plastic material being a thermoplastic material selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactide and any mixture thereof, or the movable sealing means 37 can be made of a plastic material being one or more polyesters, preferably polyethylene terephthalate. For example, the movable sealing means 37 are made of a plastic material comprising at least 30 wt. % of post-consumer resin based on the total weight of the plastic material; with preference, at least 40 wt. %; or at least 50 wt. %; or at least 60 wt. %; or can be entirely made of post-consumer resin (i.e. 100 wt. %).

[0110] As depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11, the movable sealing means 37 may comprise two collars (45, 47) distributed along the cylindrical body 43 to show a lower collar 45 and an upper collar 47, wherein the lower collar 45 is the one arranged to cooperate with the neck 51 of the container.

[0111] In an embodiment, not represented, the moveable sealing means comprise clipping means cooperating with complementary clipping means on the socket to be maintained in position for closing the opening of the reservoir. In such a case, it is understood that the clipping means are broken when pressure is exerted on the collar of the movable sealing means to allow it to slide along the tube to open the one or more flaps. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the movable sealing means have only one collar.

[0112] In an embodiment, the recipient 1, the socket 11 shows a lower aperture dimensioned to receive the neck 51 of the container. As it can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the lower aperture of the socket 11 has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the collar or at least one of the collars (45, 47), of the movable sealing means 37. When the socket 11 comprises an internal thread 25, the internal diameter of the socket 11 is reduced by said internal thread. When the movable sealing means comprises only one collar, this collar has an external diameter lower than the internal diameter of the socket 11. In such a case, the collar, which is the collar configured to cooperate with the neck of the container, preferably further shows holding lugs 49 configured to cooperate with an internal thread of the socket 11, or with clipping means inside the socket 11, to maintain the moveable sealing means in position inside the socket 11, closing the opening of the reservoir.

[0113] When the movable sealing means comprise two collars (45, 47) at least the lower collar 45 has an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the socket 11. Preferably both the upper and the lower collars (45, 47) have an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the socket 11. This allows the moveable sealing means 37 to move inside the socket 11.

[0114] When the movable sealing means comprise two collars (45, 47), the upper collar 47 preferably comprises holding lugs 49 configured to cooperate with an internal thread 25 of the socket 11 to maintain the moveable sealing means 37 in position inside the socket 11, closing the tube 9. Preferably, the holding lugs 49 are laid on the top of the internal thread 25 of the socket 11 in order not to be retained by the thread 25 when the movable sealing means is sliding along the tube 9. In such an embodiment, it is understood that the recipient 1 can be screwed on the neck 51 of the container, the internal thread of the socket 11 cooperating with the external thread 53 of the neck 51 of the container.

[0115] In a variant (not represented), the upper collar of the movable sealing means comprises holding lugs configured to cooperate with one or more internal lugs (i.e. clipping means) inside the socket to maintain the moveable sealing means in position inside the socket, closing the opening of the reservoir. In a variant (not represented), the upper collar of the movable sealing means comprises one or more hoops configured to cooperate with one or more lugs (i.e. clipping means) inside the socket to maintain the moveable sealing means in position inside the socket, closing the opening of the reservoir. In such an embodiment, it is understood that the recipient can be pressed on the neck of the container to be opened. Preferably the collar or one of the collars that are configured to cooperate with the neck of the container has an outer diameter of at least twice the diameter of the opening of the reservoir to allow the recipient to be opened by cooperation with necks of different diameters.

[0116] In both cases, the neck 51 is put in contact with the lower collar 45 of the movable sealing means 37 and the screwing or the pressing of the recipient 1 causes the entry of the neck 51 deeper into the recipient 1 thereby exerting pressure on the lower collar 45 of the movable sealing means 37. The moveable sealing means 37 is forced to slide along the tube 9 causing the lower end of the tube 9 to pass through the moveable sealing means 37, by the rupture of weakened lines forming a frangible zone on the one or more flaps 41.

[0117] Optionally, to assist the rupture of the weakened lines forming frangible zone on the one or more flaps 41, the tube 9 shows a bevelled or twisted shape so that its periphery, that is intended to come into contact with the one or more flaps 41, shows a variation in length. Alternatively, the central element is a tube and the lower end of the tube is straight so that the tube shows no variation in length.

[0118] As stated earlier, the moveable sealing means 37 may comprise a single flap or a plurality of flaps 41. In an embodiment (not represented), the moveable sealing means comprises a plurality of flaps each flap having at least one side in common with an adjacent flap and whose distal ends form a point or line of junction to said plurality of flaps and the tube will exert a pressure on the proximal end of the flaps to open them when the movable sealing means slide along said lower wall. The lower end of the tube is in contact with the proximal end of the flaps to activate the opening of the movable sealing means. Weakened lines are arranged on the sides of the flaps and break under the effect of the pressure. The flaps will carry out a rotational movement from their initial positions so that once the flaps have been opened, the flaps will be arranged parallel to the tube.

[0119] In a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 13, the movable sealing means 37 comprise a single flap 41. The flap 41 is connected to the lower collar 45 by a frangible zone defining a perimeter of rupture suitable to be ruptured by a pressure exerted by the lower end of the tube to open it when the sealing means 37 slide along said tube 9. For example, at least the flap 41 and the lower collar 45 are made of the same material and come into one piece, the frangible zone is obtained by reducing the thickness of the wall of the flap 41. Preferably, the flap 41 is further connected to the lower collar 45 by at least one hinge 55 in the form of a leg showing a thickness portion.

[0120] In a preferred manner, even after the opening of the movable sealing means 37, the one or more flaps remain connected to the lower collar 45 of the movable sealing means 37 through their proximal end when the movable sealing means 37 comprises a plurality of flap and through the hinge 55 when the movable sealing means comprises a single flap 41, as illustrated on FIG. 13. Thus, no fragments can contaminate the solution in the container.

[0121] FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of a recipient 1 according to the disclosure, in its closed position, i.e. before the opening of the movable sealing means 37. FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of a recipient 1 according to the disclosure in its opened position, i.e. after the opening of the movable sealing means 37. The displacement of the tube 9 through the movable sealing means 37 has allowed the frangible zone arranged in the periphery of the flap 41 to break. The flap 41 cooperates with the lower end of tube 9 to be open. The hinge 55 of the flap 55 nevertheless remains connected to the lower collar 45 of the movable sealing means 37.

[0122] The variants discussed in the present application are particularly adapted to applications in both the food or non-food area.

[0123] The recipient 1 of the present disclosure provides the advantage of allowing the preparation in situ of liquid composition (solution or dispersion) under the best conditions of hygiene. The reservoir can contain, apart from pharmaceutical components and food complements, food quality products suitable to be consumed in the liquid form by mixing the said product with a liquid contained in the container. As an alternative to this, the product contained in the reservoir can be non-food, for example, a care product, a cleaning product or a cosmetic product. In said case, the tightness of the recipient 1, and particularly of the movable sealing means, allows the product to be conserved shielded from the atmosphere and the deterioration is therefore avoided. If the product contained in the reservoir is in concentrated form, thus presenting a risk for the user, the present disclosure will allow the preparation of a diluted solution without risk of contact. The diluted solution formed could be used without any particular precaution.

[0124] FIG. 14 shows the recipient 1 being a container which is suitable to cooperate with the neck 63 of a cartridge 59. The cartridge 59 is in the form of a small bottle with a reservoir 61 and a neck with an external thread 65. The neck 63 of the cartridge 59 is closed by sealing means 67 such as an operculum in plastic and/or metal. The central element is a blade 57 suitable to cut the sealing means of the cartridge 59 to allow a product contained in the cartridge 59 to flow out into the reservoir 3 of said recipient 1. It is understood that the cartridge 59 can be screwed on the ring 15 of the recipient, the internal thread of the socket 11 cooperating with the external thread 65 of the neck 63 of the cartridge 59. The screwing movement allows the blade 57 to puncture and cut the sealing means 57.

[0125] For example, the blade 57 is selected from a pick, a bevel or a tube with a bevelled or twisted shape. In FIG. 14, the blade 57 is depicted as a bevel.

[0126] In an example not illustrated, the recipient is a container that is suitable to cooperate with the neck of a cartridge. The cartridge is in the form of a small bottle with a reservoir and a neck with an external thread. The neck of the cartridge is closed by sealing means. The central element is a spur suitable to push the sealing means of the cartridge into the cartridge to allow a product contained in the cartridge to flow out into the reservoir of said recipient. It is understood that the cartridge can be screwed on the ring of the recipient, the internal thread of the socket cooperating with the external thread of the neck of the cartridge. The screwing movement allows the spur to push the sealing means into the cartridge to open them.

[0127] On FIG. 15 an example of a set 69 comprising a cartridge and a container is illustrated. In the set, the cartridge and the container are pre-assembled or not. In the embodiment illustrated, the cartridge and the container are pre-assembled in that the internal thread or relief 25 of the socket 11 is already engaged with the external thread 53 or relief of the neck 51 of the container 71. The set can comprise a tamper evident removable seal 75 or not. It is preferred that when the cartridge and the container are pre-assembled, the set comprises a tamper evident removable seal 75. The set 69 comprises a cartridge that is a recipient 1 according to the present disclosure pre-assembled with a container 71. However, in an embodiment not illustrated, the set may comprise a container that is a recipient according to the present disclosure pre-assembled with a cartridge.

[0128] For example, the recipient 1 comprise sealing means 37 arranged to close the tube 9 at its lower end, and the container comprises sealing means 73 such as an operculum in plastic and/or metal. For example, the set is pre-assembled so that the tube 9 and/or the sealing means 37 arranged to close the tube 9 partially enter into the neck of the container 71 without damaging its sealing means 73. With preference, the set 69 further comprises a tamper evident removable seal 75 or tear away band on the periphery of the cartridge. More preferably the tamper evident removable seal 75 or tear away band are arranged to maintain a space between the cartridge and the container such as a bottle. In an embodiment, the tamper evident removable seal 75 is partially inserted between the socket and the container.

[0129] Once the tamper evident removable seal 75 is removed the cartridge 1 can be screwed on the neck of the container 71, the internal thread or relief 25 of the socket 11 cooperating with the external thread 53 or relief of the neck 51 of the container 71. The screwing movement allows the opening of the movable sealing means 37. In an embodiment not illustrated the cartridge is pushed toward the container.

[0130] The displacement of the tube 9 through the movable sealing means 37 has allowed the frangible zone arranged in the periphery of the flap 41 to break. The flap 41 cooperates with the lower end of tube 9 to be open. The flap 41 and the lower end of tube 99 will also cut the sealing means 73 of the container. The product contained in the cartridge 1 can therefore flow out into the container 71.