CLOSING ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTAINER, SUCH AS BOTTLES AND/OR FLASKS, REMOVABLE CARTRIDGES, CLOSING DEVICE, AND METHOD

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing assembly for containers, such as bottles and/or jars, which allows a hermetically isolated additive to be dispensed into the inside of said container, via a cartridge, characterised in that the assembly comprises a closing device having a main body (3) with joining means that allow detachable connection to a removable cartridge (4) storing the additive to be released, where said removable cartridge (4) houses a piercing projection (5) that can be actuated by direct contact with an actuator (2) connected to said main body (3).

Claims

1. A closure assembly for containers of the bottle and/or bottle type, which allows dispensing into the interior of said container a hermetically sealed additive through a cartridge, characterized in that the assembly comprises a closure device comprising a base body (3) with attachment means allowing the removable connection with a removable cartridge (4) in which the additive to be released is stored, wherein said removable cartridge (4) houses therein a push-cut projectile (5) operable by means Of the direct contact of an actuator (2) connected to said base body (3).

2. A removable cartridge (4) for containers of the bottle and/or bottle type, which allows to seal an additive to be dispensed into a bottle and/or bottle type container by means of a closure device, characterized in that Comprises a central compartment (4.d) inside which is stored the additive to be released and a push-cut projectile (5), wherein it further comprises in a lower portion (4.e) and upper (4.a) membranes which sealingly seal the central compartment (4.d) and attachment means allowing the connection removably with the base body (3) of the closure device.

3. A removable cartridge (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that said attachment means consists of an outer wire located in the upper part (4.c) of the cartridge.

4. A removable cartridge (4) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said push-cut projectile (5) consists of a movable inner arrow, positioned inside the cartridge comprising a cutter (5b), guide vanes 5.a), a stop (5.c) and a tip (5.d) to initiate the cutting or opening of the seal membrane.

5. Removable cartridge (4) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized because it is cylinder-shaped with its two open ends.

6. Removable cartridge (4) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the membranes correspond to aluminum foils covered with an epoxy material, sealed on the surfaces of the removable cartridge under pressure and heat.

7. Removable cartridge (4) according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the membranes are covered by at least one removable cap adhered to at least one of the ends of the removable cartridge.

8. Removable cartridge (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that said at least one removable cap is adhered to the removable cartridge by a threaded connection.

9. Removable cartridge (4) according to any of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises an internal shoulder (4b) in the central portion of the removable cartridge (4).

10. A removable cartridge (4) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises an outer protrusion disposed in the vicinity of the lower end of the removable cartridge (4).

11. A closure device for containers of the type bottles and/or bottles, which allows dispensing into the interior of said container a hermetically sealed additive through a removable cartridge (4) according to claims 2 to 10, characterized because the closure device comprises a base body (3), an actuator (2) connected to said base body (3) and attachment means allowing the removable connection with a removable cartridge (4) in which the additive to be stored is stored released.

12. A closure device according to claim 11, characterized in that said base body (3) comprises: a nozzle (3.j); connection means with the container; a central compartment (3. k).

13. A closure device according to claim 12, characterized in that the nozzle (3.j) comprises a peripheral nozzle shoulder (3a) at its upper end and a central bore (3.i) at its lower end.

14. A closure device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the means of connection with the container consist of an internally spun inner skirt (3.e) which engages the outer thread of the container to which the device is attached.

15. A closure device according to claim 13, characterized in that the central compartment (3.k) consists of a wall (3.l) located inside the lower skirt (3.e) and which is in communication with the central perforation (3.i) of the nozzle (3.j).

16. A closure device according to claim 15, characterized in that said central compartment (3.k) comprises the attachment means allowing connection of the base body (3) to the removable cartridge (4).

17. A closure device according to claim 16, characterized in that said connecting means consists of an inner wire.

18. A closure device according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the base body (3) further comprises a tongue ring (3.b) connected in its inner margin to the mouthpiece and in its outer margin an upper skirt (3.c).

19. A closure device according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the actuator (2) comprises: a central vertical through-hole; an outer wall (2.e); an inner element (2.d) surrounding the central vertical perforation; nerves (2a).

20. A closure device according to claim 19, characterized in that said inner element (2.d) has a cross-cut and push element (2.c) at its lower end.

21. A closure device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that said inner element (2.d) is conical in its upper and cylindrical portion in its lower portion.

22. A closure device according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the outer wall (2.e) is circular and has a shoulder (2.f) at the periphery of its upper edge.

23. A closure device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the actuator (2) further comprises an actuator ring (2b) on the outer wall, disposed circularly towards the free space between the outer wall (2.e) and the conical portion of the inner element (2.d).

24. A closure device according to any one of claims 11 to 23, characterized in that it further comprises a cover (1) connected to the base body (3).

25. A closure device according to claim 24, characterized in that said cover (1) corresponds to a cap consisting of a cylindrical body closed at the top and open at its bottom, which comprises: a safety belt (1e) attached to its lower open edge; a cover shoulder (1b) formed in the contour of the inner surface of the elongated body, in its upper portion; a tongue-shaped seal element (1a) arranged circularly in the upper part of the cover, which extends towards the inside of said cover; a housing (1c); a rodn (1d).

26. A closure device according to claims 13, 19, 22, 23 and 25, characterized in that in its closed position various isolated volumes are defined between the cover (1), the base body (3) and the actuator (2) Which act as a barrier to prevent the passage of air or contaminants into the sector where the stored additive is located, wherein: a first volume is generated by the contact between the shoulder (2.f) of the actuator (2) and the cover shoulder (1b); a second volume is generated by the engagement of the actuator ring (2.b) with the nozzle protrusion (3.a); y a third volume is generated from the central vertical perforation of the actuator (2), the inner surface of which seals against the tongue (1a) of the cover (1).

27. A process for producing a closure assembly for containers of the bottle and/or bottle type, which enables dispensing into the interior of said container a hermetically sealed additive through a cartridge, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) Making each of the elements forming the removable cartridge according to claims 2 to 10; b) Making each of the elements forming the closure device according to claims 11 to 26; c) assembling each of the elements to form the closure device; d) sealing to the lower end of the removable cartridge a lower membrane; e) incorporating a push-cut projectile into the removable cartridge; f) injecting the additive into the removable cartridge through its upper end; g) sealing to the upper end of the removable cartridge an upper membrane. h) assembling the removable cartridge to the main body of the closure device.

28. A process for producing a closure assembly according to claim 27, characterized in that steps a) and b) are performed using plastic injection processes.

29. A process for producing a closure assembly according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the lower and upper membranes may be formed from various materials distributed in layers.

30. A process for producing a closure assembly according to claim 29, characterized in that the first layer consists of a thin film of paper pulp material with glue which is disposed inside the lid; the second layer is wax and is used to adhere an aluminum foil to the paper; And finally the third layer is a polymer film laminated onto the metal.

31. A process for producing a closure assembly according to claim 30, characterized in that in steps e) and g) comprise the steps of: providing a removable cap with the membrane disposed therein and adhering it to the removable cartridge; driving the cartridge under an induction coil,

32. A process for producing a closure assembly according to any one of claims 27 to 31, characterized in that steps a) and b) are performed in separate processes.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The object of the present invention is to propose a closure device for bottles and/or bottles, which in turn is an active form dispenser housed in an interchangeable hermetic cartridge anchored therein, wherein said device has a configuration allowing The addition or release by mechanical means of an additive or active ingredient into the container to which it is attached, this substance being in a solid state (in the form of a tablet or powder, granular or other format), or fluid, gel or the like).

[0021] In this case, the additive is kept hermetically isolated from the outside, both during storage and during its release.

[0022] The present device has a structure consisting of five parts: a cover, an actuator, the system base body, a removable cartridge and a movable push-cutting carriage. These parts are coupled together, forming a single unit which is the closing device.

[0023] The description of the figures of this presentation allow a better understanding of the device to be protected and its components:

[0024] FIG. 1/9 shows the cover (1), which corresponds to a cap, which consists of a body Preferably circular, elongated, closed at the top, and open at its bottom, which comprises: a grooved safety belt (1.e) attached at its lower open edge; [0025] a cover shoulder (1.b) formed in the contour of the inner surface of the elongated body, in its upper portion; [0026] and a tongue-shaped seal member (1.a) disposed circularly at the top of the cover, which extends inwardly of said cover; [0027] a housing (1.c) for fixing the grooved safety belt (Le) to the base body (3); Y [0028] a rod (1.d) for securing the cover (1) to the base body (3) once it is opened.

[0029] FIG. 2/9 shows the actuator 2 of the device, corresponding to a sliding part with a vertical through central perforation, and is formed by: a circular outer wall (2.e) having a shoulder (2.0 at the periphery of its upper edge. [0030] an inner surface (2.d), surrounding the central perforation, having a conical shape, and which takes a cylindrical shape in its lower portion and ends in a cross-shaped cutting and pushing element (2.c);

[0031] An actuator ring (2.b) on the outer wall and disposed circularly towards the free space between the outer wall and the inner conical surface; Y [0032] ribs (2.a) whose function is to allow the flow of liquid to the outside of the closing device when in use.

[0033] FIG. 3/9 shows the base body (3) of the device, which is composed of:

[0034] A nozzle (3.j) is missing in the figure with a central bore (3.i) conical on its lower surface, and having a peripheral nozzle (3.a) projection at the upper end of this nozzle;

[0035] A tongue-shaped ring (3.b) connected at its inner margin to the nozzle and at its outer margin to an upper skirt (3.c);

[0036] A lower inner skirt (3.e) which engages with the outer yarn of the container to which the device is attached; [0037] a central compartment or tubular space (3.k) is missing the number in the figure, inside the skirt, connected to the nozzle (3.j), the number in the figure is missing through the conical perforation (3. i), and which is open at its bottom, which is surrounded by a wall (3.l), is missing the number in the figure, which has a yarn inside (3.h) in its central portion for connecting or tying the cartridge removable.

[0038] FIG. 4/9 shows the removable cartridge (4) of the device, which corresponds to an open cylinder at its two ends protruding twice as long as the part of the body with thread attached to the bottle, which is Composed of: membranes (4.e, 4.a) sealing the central compartment (4.d), in its lower and upper parts;

[0039] (4.b) internal protrusion located in the central area of the removable cartridge; and

[0040] External thread at the top (4.c) to connect or tie the cartridge to the base body (3) through its inner thread (3.h). Preferably, the removable cartridge (4) may further comprise at least one cap (not shown) on at least one end of the cartridge, wherein said cap is connected to said end of the cartridge by means of a threaded connection.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the removable carton 4 further comprises an outer protrusion surrounding the entire outer perimeter of the cartridge near its lower end and which is useful for properly holding the cartridge in the filling step of the additive, especially when it is liquid.

[0042] FIG. 5/9 shows the replaceable push-cut projectile (5), corresponding to a movable inner arrow, positioned inside the removable cartridge (4) where the additive to be released is stored, and is formed by: [0043] cutter (5.b) whose function is to cut or perforate the lower membrane sealing the removable cartridge (4) [0044] guide vanes (5.a) for keeping the cutter centered (5.b) [0045] stop (5.c) acting as a point of contact with the actuator (2) to push the cutter (5.b). [0046] tip (5.d) to start cutting or opening the seal membrane.

[0047] FIG. 6/9 shows all the component parts of the present closure device, in an exploded view and in the configuration in which they are assembled for use.

[0048] In FIG. 7/9, the same device is observed but assembled, in its closed position, with its four component parts, as it is attached to the package; This view shows the removable cartridge 4 which is hermetically sealed by the membranes 4e, 4a, which in turn contain the additive to be released and the replaceable push-cut projectile 5, Into the central compartment of the base body (3) of the device.

[0049] In FIG. 8/9, the device is shown in the discharge position, and the actuator (2) has been lowered by pushing the projectile, which has partially cut off the lower seal and released the additive into the container.

[0050] FIG. 9/9 shows the closure device in the open position, i.e., once the additive has been dispensed into the container, and the actuator (2) is raised again, thereby communicating the exterior with the inside of the container. In this position, the mixed contents of the inside of the package can be used.

[0051] The closure device of the invention is attached to a container of the bottle type or the like by the hooking of the floss yarn (3.e) to the outer yarn presented by the package.

[0052] In its closed position, i.e. when the device has not yet been manipulated, the cover (1) is attached to the ring (3.c) of the base body, in the area of its safety belt (1.c).

[0053] In this position, the actuator 2 abuts its outer wall 2.e over the nozzle 3j of the base body, generating a contact between its peripheral shoulder 2.f and the cover shoulder 1.b) of the cover presenting the nozzle of the base body. The contact between said parts establishes closed volumes between the cap (1), the base body (3) and the actuator (2), which form a barrier that prevents the passage of air or contaminants to the sector where the Stored additive. The central perforation of the actuator (2), in turn, is sealed to the air or moisture passage into it, since the seal tab (1.a) of the cover stays in contact with the entire contour of the surface inside the actuator, forming an additional insulation volume.

[0054] In this same position of the closed device, the removable cartridge 4 is disposed and anchored by external thread at the top (4.c) inside the central compartment of the base body and sealed by the component membranes of the upper removable cartridge And lower (4.a, 4.e).

[0055] At the moment of wanting to dispense the additive in the bottle, the cover (1) must be removed, thereby releasing its safety belt (1.e), to which it will be fixed to the base body (3) of the device.

[0056] Subsequently, the actuator 2 is pushed by the user into the container, whereby its lower cross-shaped portion (2.c) breaks the upper seal membrane (4.a) thereby introducing the removable cartridge (4) where it in turn pushes replaceable thrust-cut projectile (5).

[0057] When the central projectile 5 is pushed and moved downwards, its lower edge in the form of a pointed plunger 5.d partially and centrally cuts the lower seal membrane 4.e, thereby allowing the release of the additive Into the container; The protruding shoulder of the projectile (5.a) is stopped in its advance by the internal projection (4.b) of the central compartment, where it is engaged, which prevents the seal membrane (4.e) from being completely cut off and Drop into the package together with the additive. The mixture of the additive in the liquid initially contained in the bottle can then be carried out. In turn, the conical lower part of the actuator perfectly seals the space through which it penetrates the tubular space, whereby it is allowed to stir and mix the additive next to the liquid of the container without allowing leaks or liquid outflows.

[0058] To use the mixture or final contents of the package, the actuator must be pulled into its initial position whereby the fluid will pass through the perforations of the projectile in its upper closure towards the central perforation of the actuator. In this way, it is evident that it is not necessary to remove the closure device in order to be able to drink or use the mixture that was generated inside the package.

[0059] Once the removable cartridge 4 is used, the device is opened by separating the base body 3 from the bottle or container by unscrewing it, then the removable cartridge 4 is unscrewed from the inner wire 3.h) and replaced with a new cartridge and then proceed to reconnect the bottle with the base body (3).

[0060] The material of the device is preferably a rigid plastic material, but not limited solely to the use of plastic materials in its manufacture.

[0061] Another aspect of the present invention relates to the productive process of the closure device, which consists of a series of steps associated with the manufacture of parts and pieces, assembly and filling of the product so that it can be finally used Or commercialized. The main steps of the production process of the closure device are described below, which can be carried out by manual or automated manufacture, on a production line or by an intermittent manufacturing process.

[0062] First of all, the manufacturing process consists of the production of each of the parts and pieces, which is preferably performed by some of the plastic injection processes known in the state of the art.

[0063] Once each of the parts is counted, the assembly step is carried out, which consists in properly connecting each of the elements forming the closure device, namely the base body, the actuator and the removable cartridge So that they can provide the functionality for which said closure device was designed.

[0064] After each of the elements that make up the closure device are properly assembled, it is appropriate to position the sealed membranes in the removable cartridge lids for later filling and sealing. Said membranes may be formed from various materials distributed in layers, the most usual among many alternatives being a thin film of paper pulp material with glue which is disposed inside the lid. The next layer is wax and is used to adhere an aluminum foil to the paper. Finally, the last layer is a polymer film laminated onto the metal. First, the removable cartridge is sealed to the lower membrane. The cartridge is passed under an induction coil, which emits an oscillating electromagnetic field. When the cartridge passes under the induction loop the aluminum foil conducting the electricity begins to heat up. The heat melts the wax, which is absorbed into the pulp of the paper and releases the metal foil from the lid. The polymer film is also heated and flows towards the rim of the container opening. Upon cooling, the polymer forms a bond with the container and thereby establishes an airtight seal. This process, which occurs within a few seconds, does not affect the container or its contents. Once the first membrane is properly sealed to the lower end of the cartridge, the push-cut projectile is incorporated into the removable cartridge and the filling step is performed. This last step is to inject the corresponding fluid or powder into the removable cartridge through its upper end, which can generally be made by pressure filling machines, usually used in the packaging industry.

[0065] With the removable cartridge already filled, the latter is definitely sealed by arranging a membrane at the upper end of the cartridge according to the same process as to provide the above described lower membrane. In this way it is possible to contain the product inside the removable cartridge in a hermetic and secure manner, ready for use or marketing independently or as part of the closure device.

[0066] For the latter case, the production process is concluded by assembling the removable cartridge to the base body of the device by means of the connection of the connecting means of the base body, to the attachment means of the removable cartridge. Therefore, the production process can be performed independently for both the closure device and the removable cartridge, optionally assembling the two parts in an end stage of the process.