Abstract
The invention comprises a cylindrical reservoir (1) with a mouth (14), side through hole (3), shaft (28) and perimeter flange (8) whose top is associated with a concentric cover (2) anchored to the container (6) equipped with an upper mouth (13), vertical or diagonal grooves (16) and a lower mouth (11); the cover (2) enables the rotary or longitudinal sliding of the reservoir (1), which is activated by the pressure exerted by the cap (T) on said reservoir (1) which descends when the container is closed and takes the side through hole (3) out from inside the cover (2), descent that enables the reservoir (1) to be filled; when removing said cap (T), the reservoir (1) rises driven by the compression means (10), (17), (24) or (25) leaving the through hole (3) thereof enclosed inside the cover (2); the dose (Ds) is selected by tipping over the container (6) and when the liquid returns to the vertical position and is levelled, it is calibrated and when the cap is unscrewed, it is served and used, and so on.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. A liquid dispensing dosing device for a liquid receptacle with a dispensing neck that can be closed with a cap, the dosing device comprising: first coupling means (12) for coupling the dosing device to a neck (5) of a liquid receptacle; a liquid reservoir (1) comprising a liquid inlet hole (3), the hole (3) being arranged to be inserted into a receptacle when the dosing device is coupled by means of the first coupling means (12); a cover (2) for the hole (3), the cover (2) and the reservoir (1) being slidably connected; in which the reservoir (1) comprises a top, a bottom and a side wall that joins the bottom to the top, wherein the top is open to the outside, the side wall comprises the liquid inlet hole (3) and the bottom comprises a wall that extends to the side wall, preventing liquid from entering below the hole (3), the dosing device having: a first configuration wherein the cover (2) covers the liquid inlet hole (3) of the reservoir (1), preventing liquid from passing through the hole (3), the reservoir (1) comprises a protrusion (8) configured to come in contact in a leak-tight manner with the cover (2) in the first configuration, a second configuration wherein the cover (2) does not cover the liquid inlet hole (3), allowing liquid to enter the reservoir (1) through the hole (3); second coupling means (29, 88) for coupling to a cap (T) of a receptacle configured to be pressed by a cap (T) in the closure of the dispensing neck (5) so as to cause sliding between reservoir (1) and cover (2), going from the first configuration to the second configuration; return means (10, 17, 22, 24, 25) for returning from the second configuration to the first configuration and configured to cause sliding between reservoir (1) and cover (2), going from the second configuration to the first configuration by releasing the pressure exerted by the cap (T) on the second coupling means for coupling to a cap (29) at the opening of the dispensing neck (5); characterized in that the return means (10, 17, 22, 24, 25) are adopted on the cover (2) as part of the cover (2).
25. The dosing device according to claim 24, characterized in that the cover (2) adopts as return means at least two spokes (25) which converge in a small cylinder (18), the cover (2) and the spokes (25) being made of an elastomeric polymer whose geometry, when altered by pressure and said pressure then ceasing, returns to the previous shape and position thereof.
26. The dosing device according to claim 25, characterized in that the small cylinder (18) is provided with a through hole (26) that receives anchoring tabs (29) of a shaft (28) that join it to the reservoir (1), the reservoir (1) being fastened to the inner shaft (28) of the reservoir and wherein the shaft (28) is joined to the cover (2) by the return means in the form of said spokes (25).
27. The dosing device according to claim 24, characterized in that the reservoir (1) has a semi-spherical base, the cover (2) being made of an elastomeric polymer and the return means being at least two leaf springs (10) that clasp the reservoir 1 and adapt to the morphology thereof in such a way that when the cap T lowers the reservoir 1, the leaf springs 10 open, forced by the semi-spherical base of the reservoir 1 that contains a groove 19 which guides the lower distal ends of said leaf springs 10.
28. The dosing device according to claim 24, characterized in that it is manufactured in one piece, the return means (10, 17, 22, 24, 25) connecting the reservoir (1) to the cover (2), the return means (17) being elastic and having one end resting on the reservoir (1) and another end for resting on a neck (5) of a receptacle, the return means (17), the cover (2) being made with a rigid material and the reservoir (1) being made with a rigid material, except for the protrusion (8) of the reservoir (1) which is made with an elastic material, the joining link between reservoir (1) and cover (2) being obtained by a semi-perimeter mesh or curtain (24) of elastic material which joins a lower mouth (11) of the cover (2) to the protrusion (8) of the reservoir (1).
29. The dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (2) comprises a face oriented towards the hole (3) of the reservoir and wherein said face has a protrusion configured to come in contact in a leak-tight manner with the reservoir (1) in the first configuration.
30. The dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first coupling means (12) for coupling to a neck (5) comprise a bushing wherein the cover (2) is part of the bushing with a perimeter protrusion (12).
31. The dosing device according to claim 30, wherein the cover (2) comprises a channel (16) or a protrusion and the reservoir (1) comprises, respectively, a protrusion (15) complementary to the channel (16) of the cover or a channel complementary to the protrusion of the cover (2).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0088] As a complement to the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with several preferred practical exemplary embodiments thereof, said description is accompanied by several sets of figures constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation, represent the following:
[0089] FIG. 1 describe in respective perspective views a possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder according to the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 2 show in perspective, cross-sectional and plan views a possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder according to the present invention.
[0091] FIG. 3 show in elevation, plan, cross-sectional and perspective views another possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder according to the present invention.
[0092] FIG. 4 show in elevation, plan, cross-sectional and perspective views a possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder according to the present invention.
[0093] FIG. 5 show in elevation, cross-sectional and perspective views a possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder according to the present invention.
[0094] FIG. 6 show in elevation, plan, cross-sectional and perspective views a possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder containing a device that changes the doses according to the present invention.
[0095] FIG. 7 present in elevation and perspective views a possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder with diagonal grooves according to the present invention.
[0096] FIG. 8 show in elevation, cross-sectional and perspective views a possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder using a distinct cap according to the present invention.
[0097] FIG. 9 present in elevation, cross-sectional and perspective views another possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder made in one piece according to the present invention.
[0098] FIG. 10 describe in elevation, cross-sectional and perspective views a possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder with a device for changing the doses according to the present invention.
[0099] FIG. 11 show in elevation and cross-sectional views and diagrams of use another possible embodiment of the dosing cylinder made in one piece according to the present invention.
[0100] FIG. 12 show in cross-sectional and perspective views a preferred embodiment wherein the cylinder rotates with the final turn of the cap in order to open the side through hole.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0101] In light of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, one may observe therein examples of preferred embodiments of the invention, which comprise the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.
[0102] Thus, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 12, several possible preferred embodiments of the dosing cylinder for packaged liquids that in most of the preferred embodiments thereof is composed of the reservoir 1 and the cover 2 which are associated and inserted in the neck 5 of the containers 6 to serve calibrated doses Ds in a comfortable and hygienic way. It mainly comprises the following elements: [0103] A cylindrical reservoir 1 that is hollow and leak-tight at the base thereof, with a mouth 14 whose diameter enables it to be inserted inside the cover 2; it contains a side through hole 3 and below this hole a frustoconical perimeter flange 8; in some preferred embodiments, there are pins 15 and a half-round extension 33 in the mouth 14 thereof. [0104] a cylindrical cover 2 with two mouths, an upper mouth 13 and lower mouth 11, whose diameter, length and insertion means enable it to be anchored in a leak-tight manner inside the neck 5 of the receiving container 6 and it contains two facing vertical or diagonal grooves 16 and a perimeter flange 12 for seating and fastening to the container 6; in some preferred embodiments, it contains longitudinal extensions 4 or leaf springs 10 and an upper mouth 13; in other preferred embodiments thereof, it contains radial segments that converge in a smaller concentric cylinder 18 that acts as a receiver for anchoring means and/or as a receiver for a compression spring; said spokes made of an elastomeric polymer or elastic material works as compression means. [0105] sealing means which in the preferred embodiments are: the lower mouth 11 of the cover 2 and the frustoconical perimeter flange 8 of the reservoir 1 located under the through hole 3 which, when the cap T is unscrewed, rises driven by the corresponding compression means and comes into firm contact with said mouth 11 in order to close the circulation of the liquid, [0106] compression means adopted by the invention and which, according to the preferred embodiment, can be: Longitudinal leaf springs 10 of the cover; compression springs 17, rubber rings 22; mesh, curtain or elastic vertical segments 24 and radial segments 25 of the cover 2 made of an elastomeric polymer. All of them act so that the cover 2 and the reservoir 1 remain in constant contact and closure until they are separated by the pressure exerted by the cap T when it is screwed on, with an extension PR provided in the cavity thereof or the pressure that is exerted when a common cap T is screwed on the half-round elongation 33 of the mouth 14 of the reservoir 1. [0107] in another preferred embodiment, the fastening to the container is caused by screwing the cover and reservoir by means of a double-threaded peripheral cylinder, provided therein, an internal thread 9 to be screwed to the container and another external thread 30 to be screwed to the cap T. The association of both elements, reservoir 1 and cover 2 fastened in a leak-tight manner to the container 6 enables the longitudinal or rotary sliding of said reservoir 1 and, therefore, that of the side through hole 3 thereof, fundamental translation of the invention, since said through hole 3, the only inlet for the liquid inside the container 6, adopts two positions with two very different functions:
[0108] With the container plugged, the reservoir 1 descends towards the cavity of the container 6 and the through hole thereof 3 goes down with it and exits the cover 2. In this new position, the reservoir 1 can be filled with liquid and the dose can be selected. However, with the container 6 without the cap T, the corresponding released compression means lifts the reservoir 1 and the through hole 3 thereof is hermetically enclosed inside the cover 2 since the perimeter flange 8 of the reservoir 1 comes in contact with the lower frustoconical mouth 11 of said cover 2 to prevent liquid from circulating.
[0109] The potential energy of the compression means in each preferred embodiment remains charged with the plugged container 6 and when the cap T is unscrewed, the energy is released and the reservoir 1 with the through hole 3 thereof rises towards the inside of the cover 2, thereby stopping the inner circulation of the liquid and ensuring the dose served and, in the event that the container 6 tips over or falls, preventing the loss of the liquid content. In this preferred embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1/A to 1/F, the cover 2 contains, proximal to the lower mouth 11 thereof, two longitudinal segments 4 whose lower distal end has hooking rods 4bis to receive rubber rings 22 as compression means; on said cover 2 there are vertical through grooves 16 that act as a guide and stop for the path of the pins 15 of the reservoir 1 such that when the cap T of the container 6 presses the mouth 14 of the reservoir 1, the reservoir descends, the compression means tighten and the pins 15 slide through the grooves 16 and stop when side through hole 3 of the reservoir 1 exits the cover 2 to the filling position; meanwhile the cover 2 remains steady and seated on the container 6 by the perimeter flap 7 of the mouth 13; when the cap T is unscrewed to serve the dose, the compression means 22 is immediately released and the reservoir 1 rises and the side through hole 3 is inserted into the cover 2 at the same time that the perimeter flange 8 of the reservoir 1 comes in firm contact with the lower frustoconical mouth 11 of the cover 2. FIG. 1/B shows the reduced mouth ER. FIG. 1/C shows the reservoir 1 where 14 is its mouth, 15 its pins, 3 indicates the side through hole; 8 indicates the leak-tight closing perimeter flange and 19 indicates a transverse slit located at the base of the reservoir 1 that receives the rubber rings 22. FIG. 1/F shows the correct position of the invention inserted in the container 6 closed with the cap T that presses the reservoir 1 so that it descends and, therefore, when the side through hole 3 exits the cover 2, it acts as a mouth for filling said reservoir 1 by turning or tipping over the container 6.
[0110] In another preferred embodiment, FIGS. 2/A to 2/H show the invention equipped with other compression and assembly means of the elements thereof, but maintaining the basic system, formation and operation. FIGS. 2/A, 2/B and 2/C show the cover 2 that adopts as compression means at least two spokes 25 which converge in a small cylinder 18 with a through hole 26 that receives the anchoring tabs 29 of the shaft 28 that join it to the reservoir 1; the cover 2 and the spokes 25 are made of an elastomeric polymer whose geometry, when altered by pressure and said pressure then ceasing, returns to the previous shape and position thereof. Therefore, said properties are used as compression means. FIG. 2/D is a cross section of the reservoir 1 where 3 indicates its side through hole, 14 identifies its mouth, 29 indicates the anchoring tabs of the concentric axis 28 of the reservoir 1 that are fastened to the cylinder 18. FIGS. 2/E, 2/F and 2/G show the reservoir 1 in a perspective view with the adopted numbering and FIG. 2/H shows the container 6 with a 90° inclination, without spilling a single drop after pouring the dose. FIG. 2/C shows an inner step 27 of the smaller cylinder that retains the tabs 29 of the shaft 28.
[0111] In another preferred embodiment shown by FIGS. 3/A to 3/H, the smaller cylinder 18 of the cover 2 receives the tabs 29 as an anchoring means between both pieces and the spring 17 as compression means; FIGS. 3/D, 3/E, 3/F and 3/H show the reservoir 1 containing the central shaft 28 and a half-round extension 33 at the mouth 14 to facilitate pouring; FIG. 3/J highlights the selection and filling position of the reservoir 1 whose side through hole 3 enters the container 6 to fill the reservoir 1 in a lowered position due to a central extension PR that contains the cap T. The spring 17 is compressed by the central extension PR. All figures have the adopted numbering.
[0112] In another preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 4/A to 4/K, the cover 2 is made of an elastomeric polymer and the compression means are exerted by at least two segments 10 that clasp the reservoir 1 and adapt to the morphology thereof; when the cap T lowers the reservoir 1, the leaf springs 10 open, as can be seen in FIG. 4/K, forced by the semi-spherical base of said reservoir 1 that contains a groove 19 which guides the lower distal ends of said leaf springs 10 and when the pressure of the extension PR of the cap ceases, the reservoir 1 rises, as shown in FIG. 4/J which shows the closure of both elements. In a preferred embodiment shown by FIGS. 5/A to 5/G of the lower mouth 11 of the cover 2, longitudinal segments 4 emerge which join the lower distal ends 4 thereof as a bracket to hold the pin 41 that serves as a seat for a compression spring 17. The reservoir 1 contains a half-round extension 33 at the mouth 14 thereof to facilitate pouring and to advance the pressure point that causes the reservoir to descend by means of the screwing of a cap T, in this case a common cap. All figures contain the adopted numbering. FIG. 5/C shows a pin 41b, which in this preferred embodiment is located at the base of the cylinder and which is used to receive one end of the spring 17.
[0113] In another preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 6/A to 6/E, a device is shown that is located on the shaft 28 of the reservoir 1 by means of the clamp 39 associated with a plunger 44 that is actuated with the control 37 of the segment 38 which, when raising or lowering said plunger 44, changes the doses Ds, thus establishing the dose needed. FIGS. 6/D and 6/E show two positions of the plunger (44) that make up different doses. FIGS. 6/C, 8/D and 6/E have a base 40 of the reservoir which in this embodiment is perforated so that the plunger 44 can be lowered without difficulty inside this distinct reservoir.
[0114] In another preferred embodiment shown by FIGS. 7/A to 7/F in plan and cross-sectional views, an example of the invention is presented which uses a large diameter compression spring 17 located between the inside of the cover 2 and the outside of the reservoir 1. For it to act, said spring 17 has a perimeter stop 42 at the base of the cover 2 and a perimeter stop 88 located in the mouth 14 of the reservoir 1. FIG. 7/A highlights the diagonal groove that causes the reservoir to rotate as it moves in both directions. FIG. 7/A has vertical flanges or slots 20 that reduce friction between the cylinder and the bushing to facilitate the sliding thereof. All figures contain the adopted numbering.
[0115] In a preferred embodiment and in order to extend the insertion means of the reservoir 1 and the cover 2 to the container 6, FIGS. 8/A to 8/B and 8/E show respective covers 2 in various preferred embodiments which contain a larger peripheral and concentric enlargement 30 with a two-sided thread, the inner thread 9 being screwed on the container 6 and the outer thread receiving the cap T; FIG. 8/C shows a variant of the cover 2 which, due to the upper extension thereof, allows the original cap of the container to be used. FIGS. 8/D, 8/F, 8/H, 8/J and 8/K show in plan and perspective views the development of a special cap T designed to cover all needs when using liquid products that can be dosed, as it may be necessary to serve larger amounts of liquid and the system is configured to strictly serve one dose at a time. For this reason, said special cap T has a concentric through hole 35 with thread 36 and lid 32 all located thereon; said lid 32 is unscrewed by means of the slot 21 with a coin and since the cap T is screwed on and maintains its function of opening the through hole 3 of the reservoir 1, part or all of the contents of the container 6 can be poured through said through hole 35 which closes said lid 32 of the cap T. FIG. 8/F indicates the upper slot 21 of the lid 32 of the cap T, which is used to unscrew it with a coin.
[0116] In another preferred embodiment shown by FIGS. 9/A to 9/F, the object of the invention manufactured in one piece is described. FIGS. 9/A and 9/B show in perspective and plan views the structure that makes such simplification possible. It is important to remember that the very structure of the container and more specifically the perimeter intersection that forms the base of the neck 5 of the container 6 with the start of the shoulder H of said container 6 is used by this invention as an advantageous part of the system; however, for this system to function the elements thereof must be made from two types of materials. One rigid material and the other material with elastic qualities; therefore, in this preferred embodiment the means are not compression means like above but rather traction means. Let's see why: The cylindrical cover 2 is made with a low height and rigid material, and the reservoir 1 is made with a rigid material, except for the perimeter flange 8 thereof which must be made with an elastic material. The joining link between both elements is created by a semi-perimeter mesh or curtain or vertical segments of elastic material 24 which joins the lower mouth 11 of the cover 2 with the perimeter flange 8; said flange 8 is oversized so that when inserted into the neck 5 of the container 6, it passes through the intersection In of the neck 5 and shoulder H of the container 6 with some difficulty and it remains sufficiently tight to close the passage of the liquid until the cylindrical extension PR of the cap T, when screwed on, presses the upper edge of the mouth 14 of the reservoir 1 which descends next to the perimeter flange 8 and the through hole 3, which enables the passage of the liquid that fills said reservoir 1 with the dose. Once this is selected, upon removing the cap to serve it, the reservoir 1, the through hole 3 and the perimeter flange 8 rise to close the circulation of the contained liquid and serve the calibrated dose in a completely safe and hygienic manner.
[0117] In another preferred embodiment shown by FIGS. 10/A to 10/G, a device that enables the magnitude of the dose Ds to be changed is presented integrated in the dosing system, object of the invention, and the operation of which is based on a reservoir 1 made of elastic material in two thicknesses. The greater thickness makes up half the length of the cover 2 and the mouth 14; the smaller thickness configures the lower half of the reservoir 1 which at the base thereof contains an inner truncated cone that rises to the vertex thereof equipped with a through hole RA with threading 18bis in order to receive a rotating shaft 28 fastened in the cylinder 26 of the cover 2 with a lower distal end equipped with a worm thread; the upper distal end thereof contains a control disk 43 which, when rotated manually, moves the base of the reservoir 1 in both directions, a rotation that transforms the length and volume thereof and therefore produces a change in the magnitude of the dose. All figures contain the adopted numbering.
[0118] In another preferred embodiment shown by FIGS. 11/A to 11/G, the invention is presented in one piece: the reservoir 1, which uses the intersection In between the neck 5 and the shoulder H as insertion or anchoring means and the cylindrical length of the neck 5 as a manoeuvring area; said neck of the container 6 contains a step E as a stop of a spring 17 such that this preferred embodiment does not need the cover 2 to function; the reservoir 1 contains an oversized perimeter flange 8, located under the through hole 3 and at the mouth thereof it has another special perimeter flange 88 that acts as a counter-stop for the compression spring 17. All figures have the adopted numbering.
[0119] In another preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 12/A to 12/H, when the cap T is screwed on to close the container 6, the central extension PR thereof with a screwdriver head is inserted between the tabs 29 to rotate the reservoir 1 and pull the side through hole 3 out of the elongated cover 2 and proceed to fill it; at that moment, the compression means 17, which in this case is a spring, is activated; FIG. 12/G shows the extension PR as a screwdriver which reaches and turns the tabs 29, in FIG. 12/F, in the last % turn for closing the cap T and keeps the hole 3 open until the cap T is unscrewed, which releases the compression means 17, which drives the through hole 3 into the cover 2, closing the passage of the liquid. All figures contain the adopted numbering.
