Patent Publication Number: US-2010108715-A1

Title: Dispensing device, receptacle for said device and corresponding system for preparing a drink

Description:
The invention concerns a dispensing device, a receptacle or capsule for said device and a system for preparing a drink that can be obtained by mixing at least two substances. 
     In particular, the present invention concerns a system for preparing a drink that is obtained by mixing a concentrated substance, contained in a receptacle that is also the subject of the invention, with a generally liquid product placed in a container, as well as a corresponding dispensing device that makes it possible both to take the product and/or release said substance into the container and to take the mixture obtained by combining said product and said substance. 
     As is known, especially in the world of sports, special drinks are widespread that contain aromatising and/or replenishing substances and/or mineral salts and that athletes use before, after or during their sporting performances. 
     Said drinks are generally sold in canteens provided with closing devices and/or caps of the push-pull type. 
     These push-pull dispensing and closing devices substantially comprise a threaded ring nut suited to be coupled with the neck of the canteen and provided with a closing element that is applied in such a way as to be able to be moved with respect to the ring nut, in order to assume a closing position and an opening position, respectively. 
     More precisely, said element, in the above mentioned opening/closing positions, opens/closes a duct through which the product can flow out of the container. 
     To extract the product, therefore, the user arranges the closing element in the open position and lets out the product. 
     Some particular embodiments of these devices are constructed in such a way as to allow the user to open and close the container even without using his/her hands, by simply grasping the closing element with his/her teeth. 
     A first drawback noticed by the consumers of these aromatised and/or replenishing drinks lies in that these drinks are not always available in the places where one would like to take them. This means that the consumers cannot choose their drink near the place where they want to take it and when they want to take it. A further drawback lies in that said consumers, even when they succeed in finding a place where to buy drinks of this type, cannot always have the drink they wish to consume. In fact, the points of sale don&#39;t generally offer all the aromatised and/or replenishing drinks present on the market, as they tend to limit their offer to products of a given type in order to maximise sales and reduce purchasing costs. 
     Another, yet not the least drawback is represented by the fact that, in order to guarantee their effectiveness, some of said drinks must be produced at the moment of consumption, and therefore cannot be prepared in advance and kept in containers ready for use. 
     The object of the present invention is to overcome all the drawbacks described. In particular, it is a first object of the invention to construct a dispensing device, a receptacle or capsule for said device and a system for preparing a drink that can be obtained by mixing at least two substances. 
     It is another object of the invention to construct a device and a system that allow the user to choose, and if necessary to prepare, according to the need, the product to which he/she will add the aromatising and/or replenishing substance when he/she wishes. 
     It is a further object of the invention to construct a device and a system that allow the user to directly drink the liquid product present in the container or to prepare in advance and then consume the aromatised drink obtained by mixing the product and the aromatising and/or replenishing substance. In other words, it is another object of the invention to construct a system and a device that allow the user to drink the liquid product without necessarily mixing it with the substance contained in the device, and that, if required, allow said substance to be released, mixed with the liquid product and successively consumed. 
     It is a further object of the invention to construct a device that can be removed from the container of the liquid product, in order to allow the product to be successively topped up and/or replaced according to the need. 
     It is another object of the invention to construct a device and a system that make it possible to prepare an aromatised/replenishing drink with characteristics and qualities determined in advance. 
     It is a further object of the invention to construct a device that can be applied to a container and also serves for closing said container. 
     It is a further object of the invention to construct a device that can substantially be applied to any container. 
     It is a further object of the invention to construct a device that allows the user to choose the substance to be added to and mixed with the liquid product at the moment of use. 
     It is a further object of the invention to construct a reusable device. 
     It is a further object of the invention to construct a system, a device and a receptacle that are simple to make and require a reduced number of parts. 
     It is another object of the invention to construct a system, a capsule and a device that are reliable and easy to assemble. 
     It is another object of the invention to construct a system and a device that can be activated without the aid of the hands, and in particular that can be activated simply, even with the aid of the mouth or teeth. 
     It is another, yet not the least object of the invention to construct a mixing system and a device that allow the user to choose the aromatised drink. 
     The objects described above are achieved by a dispensing device, a receptacle or capsule for said device and a system for preparing a drink that can be obtained by mixing at least two substances, characterized in the respective independent claims. 
     Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. 
     To advantage, the proposed solution also allows the consumer to drink the product from the container without mixing the aromatising/replenishing substance therein. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device assumes the function of a device of the push-pull type that allows the intake of the liquid product or of the drink obtained by mixing the liquid product with a substance containing, for example, mineral salts. 
     Advantageously, the proposed solution also allows any type of container, like for example a normal water bottle, to be transformed into a canteen provided with a system for preparing aromatised and/or replenishing drinks. 
     Still advantageously, the proposed solution also allows the capsule or receptacle to be replaced, thus making the device and the system reusable. 
     Still advantageously, the proposed solution is particularly versatile, in fact it allows the container, the device and the receptacle to be sold/purchased separately, with evident economic and commercial advantages. 
    
    
     
       The aims and advantages described above will be highlighted in greater detail in the description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, supplied as examples without limitation, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a longitudinal cross section of a system carried out according to the invention, comprising a device and a receptacle that are also the subject of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows an axonometric exploded view of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a longitudinal cross section of the device carried out according to the invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  show two axonometric exploded views of the device shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a longitudinal cross section of the receptacle or capsule shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a longitudinal cross-section and exploded view of the receptacle or capsule shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows an axonometric exploded view of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a longitudinal cross section of another example of a receptacle or capsule carried out according to the invention; 
         FIG. 10  shows a longitudinal cross section of a part of the device of  FIG. 3  in a particular operating configuration; 
         FIG. 11  shows a longitudinal cross section of the same part of the device of  FIG. 3  shown in  FIG. 10 , but in a different operating configuration; 
       Figures from  12   a  to  12   d  show longitudinal cross-section views of another example of a system carried out according to the invention, comprising a device and a receptacle, which are also the subject of the invention, in different operating positions; 
         FIG. 12   e  shows a perspective view of the receptacle included in the system of  FIG. 12   a;    
       Figures from  13   a  to  13   d  show longitudinal cross-section views of a further example of a system carried out according to the invention, comprising a device and a receptacle, which are also the subject of the invention, in different operating positions; 
       Figures from  14   a  to  14   d  show longitudinal cross-section views of another example of a system carried out according to the invention, comprising a device and a receptacle, which are also the subject of the invention, in different operating positions; 
       Figures from  15  to  19  show longitudinal cross-section views of the possible configurations of the system of  FIG. 1  during the various usage steps; 
         FIG. 20  shows a stage in the assembly of the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     By way of introduction it is important to point out that the same components in different examples of embodiments are indicated by the same reference numbers. The position indications given in the different examples of embodiment should be transferred to the new position. 
     A system for preparing a drink that can be obtained by mixing at least two substances S 1  and S 2 , object of the present invention, is represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , where it is indicated as a whole by  500 . 
     This system comprises a container  501  containing at least one of the above mentioned substances S 1  and a dispensing device indicated as a whole by  100 , which is also the subject of the invention and is shown in particular in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , provided with means  110  for connection to the mouth  503  of the container  501 . 
     According to the invention, the system  500  also comprises a capsule or receptacle  1  for at least another of said substances S 2  that is also the subject of the invention and is shown in detail in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 . 
     In particular, said capsule  1  comprises a hollow body  2  defining a volume  3  suited to contain the substance S 2 , in which it is possible to identify, in at least one of its walls  4 , at least one controlled yielding area  5  suited to allow the wall  4  in said area  5  to be broken when a force exceeding a given value is exerted on the same area  5 . 
     In particular, said minimum force must exceed the force that is accidentally exerted on the walls of the receptacle  1 , for example during the storage and transport of the same. 
     In the example of embodiment represented herein the hollow body  2  comprises a tubular body with substantially circular cross section and the yielding area is defined by a thin sheet  6  made of aluminium and extruded polyethylene or aluminium and extruded polypropylene, which closes at least one opening  7  present on the hollow body  2 . 
     In other applications that require the presence of a wording on said thin sheet to indicate the type of substance contained in the capsule or any other information, to make the thin sheet it is possible to use multiple combined materials like polyethylene/aluminium/extruded polyethylene or polyethylene/aluminium/extruded polypropylene. 
     More precisely, the yielding area  5  is arranged at the level of the bottom  8   a  of the body  2  and the thin sheet or seal  6  is applied to the body  2  through adhesive means and in particular through a bonding agent. 
     In other embodiments of the invention the thin sheet  6  is applied to the body  2  in a different way, for example through a heat-sealing process. 
     It is clear, however, that the body  2  may have any shape and that the opening  7  and/or the yielding area  5  may have any shape and dimensions. 
     It should also be noted, as will be better explained below, that the opening  7 , shown in detail in  FIG. 7 , also allows the introduction of the substance S 2  into the body  2  during preparation of the capsule  1 . 
     It is clear, however, that the introduction of the substance S 2  in the volume  3  may also take place through other openings, successively closed, temporarily obtained for this purpose in the body  2 . 
     The capsule or receptacle  1  is also provided with a closing element  9  that is also suited, as will be explained in greater detail below, to cooperate with the device  100  described below. 
     In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, said closing element  9  is arranged at the level of the upper part  8   b  of the body  2  and comprises an element  10  that projects from the external surface of the body  2  and has a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     Another embodiment of the capsule of the invention not represented herein differs from the previous one due to the fact that the yielding area is obtained by thinning the walls  4  of the hollow body, which, for example, can be obtained by moulding a plastic material. 
     In other embodiments, the introduction of the substance may take place for example through at least one special opening closed by a cap that if necessary can be removable. 
     A further construction variant of the capsule of the invention, indicated as a whole by  1   a  in  FIG. 9 , differs from the previous ones due to the fact that the receptacle is divided by a diaphragm  13  in two volumes or compartments  3   a  and  3   b , each suited to contain a corresponding substance S 3  and S 4  and provided with at least one corresponding yielding area  5  in some areas of the respective external walls. 
     As regards the dispensing device  100 , shown in particular in Figures from  3  to  5 , it also allows the release of a substance into a container, as will be better illustrated below. 
     Said device can be applied to a container and comprises a cap  120  suited to open/close a dispensing duct  140 . 
     According to the invention, it also comprises:
         a housing suited to accommodate at least one preferably removable receptacle  1 ,  1   a  containing at least one substance S 2 ;   breaking means  102  suited to break at least part of one wall of said at least one receptacle  1   a  in order to release said substance S 2 , said breaking means  102  being able to be activated by the user through manoeuvring means  103 .       

     In the preferred non-limiting embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, the housing is defined by a support element  101  suited to support at least one receptacle or capsule  1 , represented with a broken line in  FIG. 3 , which preferably and in the example shown is of the type described above and more precisely of the type indicated by  1 ,  1   a  in the Figures from  6  to  9 . 
     The manoeuvring means  103  can be activated by the user and are suited to act on the receptacle  1  to activate said breaking means  102  and break at least part of a wall of the receptacle  1  and/or on the support  101  to make at least one opening through which the substance S 2  can consequently flow out. 
     More precisely, said manoeuvring means  103  act on the receptacle  1  to mutually move the device  100  and the capsule  1  and force at least part of the walls of the latter against the breaking means  102  to create, as will be better explained below, said opening through which the substance S 2  can flow out of the receptacle  1   c.    
     In particular, said breaking means  102  are integral with the support element  101  and are arranged so that, during the operation stage carried out using the manoeuvring means  103 , they can act on the walls of the receptacle  1 ,  1   a  at the level of the yielding areas  5  with which the receptacle  1 ,  1   a  is preferably provided, as described above. 
     It is clear, however, that in other embodiments of the invention said yielding areas  5  may substantially comprise even all the walls of the receptacle, which means that the receptacle may have only some reinforced areas at the level, for example, of the points of interaction with the manoeuvring means  103 . 
     In the embodiment of the invention represented in  FIGS. 3 and 4  the support element  101  comprises a tubular element  105  provided with an upper opening  106  visible in particular in  FIG. 5  that, as will be clearer below, allows the receptacle  1 ,  1   a  to be inserted/extracted in/from the housing in the device  100 , as well as with side openings  107  for the passage of the substance S 1  and of the drink obtained by mixing the substances S 1  and S 2 . 
     Said element  101  is also provided in its upper part with means  108  for coupling to a ring nut  109 , the latter being provided with means  110  for fixing to the neck  503  of the container  501  visible in particular in  FIG. 4 . 
     The ring nut  109  also presents a passage duct  111 , visible in  FIGS. 3 and 11 , through which, as will be explained more clearly below, the mixed product flows out of the container  501 . 
     It should also be observed that, as will be described in greater detail below, the cross section of the passage duct  111  substantially coincides with the cross section of the closing element  9  of the receptacle  1   c  described above and that the height h 1  of the receptacle  1 , compared to the height of the housing suited to accommodate the receptacle itself, is such as to allow the closing element  9  to engage with the duct  111 . 
     More particularly, the height h 1  of the receptacle is greater than the distance h 2  between the beginning of the duct  111  and the temporary support means  141  of the capsule  1 , which will be described more clearly below. 
     This advantageously allows the closing element  9  to engage in a tight manner with the duct  111 , as shown in particular in  FIG. 1 , thus temporarily preventing the passage of the substance S 1  before the operation of the breaking means  102  of the device  100 . 
     As to the coupling means  108 , they are preferably of the snap type, even if they may assume a different configuration, and they comprise an annular projection that is visible in particular in  FIG. 5  and is suited to be coupled with a corresponding seat present in the ring nut  109 . 
     This advantageously allows the user or the manufacturer, as will be explained in greater detail below, to insert the receptacle  1   c  in the tubular element  105  through the opening  106 . 
     As to the fixing means  110 , visible in  FIG. 4 , in the non-limiting example represented herein they comprise a threaded edge suited to be coupled with a corresponding thread present on the neck  503  of the container  501 . It is clear that also these fixing means may assume a different shape suitable, in any case, to allow the device  100  to be applied to the container  501 . 
     As to the breaking means  102 , they are arranged, as previously described, near and/or at the level of the weak areas  5  preferably present in the receptacle  1 ,  1   a , and therefore in particular, in the example represented herein, at the level of the bottom  112  of the tubular element  105 . 
     They preferably comprise a projection  115 , preferably provided with at least one sharp end  116 , visible in particular in  FIG. 3 , suited to cut the wall of the receptacle  1 ,  1   a.    
     In other embodiments of the invention, not illustrated herein, said means  102  comprise a plurality of sharp teeth directed towards the inside of the volume defined by the support element  105  suited to accommodate the capsule  1 ,  1   a ; more generally said teeth may have any other shape suited to perform the function described. 
     As to the closing cap  120 , shown in detail in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , it is arranged downstream of the passage duct  111  that communicates with the dispensing duct  140 . 
     In the example represented herein, said closing cap  120  is of the push-pull type and comprises a first element or collar  121  defining the above mentioned dispensing duct  140 , also called the outlet mouth of the device  100 , integral with the ring nut  109  to which a closing element or cap  122  is applied in a removable manner with respect to the first element  121  in order to be able to assume respectively a closing position, shown in detail in  FIG. 10 , and an opening position, shown in  FIG. 11 , where the device places the inside of the container to which it is applied in communication with the outside. 
     More precisely, said closing element  122 , moving from the above mentioned opening/closing positions, opens/closes an outlet duct  123 , defined by the walls of the second element  122  and by the walls of the collar  121 . Said duct  123  communicates with the passage duct  111  and with the outlet mouth  140 , through which the drink can flow out of the container  501 . 
     The closing element  122  is also provided with first guide elements  125  suited to be coupled with second guide elements integral with the collar  121  that guide its movement. 
     More precisely, said first guide elements  125  comprise an annular seat suited to house the second guide elements defined, in the example represented herein, by the wall of the collar  121  itself. 
     The device  100  also comprises means suited to limit the movement of said closing element  120  and to prevent it from coming off the collar  121 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention represented herein said means comprise a first annular projection  130  integral with the collar  121  and a second annular projection  131  created on the closing element  120 , visible in detail in  FIG. 10 . The closing element  120  is also provided, as is shown more clearly in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a shutter element  135  that, as will be explained in greater detail below, is suitable for closing the passage duct  111  when the device  100  has been activated and the cap  120  is in the closed position. 
     More precisely, said shutter element  135 , in the preferred non-limiting embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, comprises a shaped body  136  whose profile matches the profile of the passage duct  111 , said shaped body  136  being in particular substantially cylindrical in shape, with diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the passage duct  111 . 
     The closing element  120  is also provided with means  138  suited to make it easier for the user to grasp it and move it in the open/closed positions described above. In the particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, said means  138  comprise an external annular projection  139  that forms a shoulder suitable for exerting the traction/thrusting force necessary to open/close the push-pull cap. 
     As regards the manoeuvring means  103 , in the particular embodiment of the invention represented herein they belong to said closing cap and are obtained on the closing element  102  itself. More precisely, they comprise the above mentioned shutter element  135  that, as will be better explained below, acts on the capsule  1 . 
     It should be observed, furthermore, that the device  100  also comprises the already mentioned temporary support means  141  for the capsule  1  comprising, in the embodiment represented herein, an annular support edge  142 , visible in particular in  FIG. 3  projecting from the inner surface of the tubular element  105  and forming a temporary support shoulder for the capsule  1  visible also in  FIG. 1 . More precisely, said means  141  are suited to temporary support the capsule  1  when it is inserted in the tubular element  105  to prevent any accidental contact between the breaking means  102  and the yielding area  5  facing it. This advantageously makes it possible to avoid the accidental opening of the capsule  1 , for example during the storage and/or transport of the device  100  that accommodates the capsule  1  itself. 
     It is clear that in other solutions these support means  140  may have a different configuration and a different shape, provided that it is suitable for performing the function described above. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention not illustrated herein, the manoeuvring means  103  that the user utilises to break the cartridge comprise a ring nut or another element not necessarily belonging to the push-pull cap. 
     It must also be observed that the tubular element, as well as the capsule, can also be made from a transparent material, in order to advantageously allow the consumer to identify, for example through the particular colour of the substance S 2  contained in the receptacle, the characteristics of the product that will be obtained by mixing the substance S 2  with the substance S 1  contained in the container. 
     As an alternative, the same tubular element may be provided with openings or windows to allow a visual check of the type and conditions of the capsule housed therein. 
     The operation of the invention will now be described in greater detail, making reference to the system  500  shown in  FIG. 1 , comprising a capsule or receptacle of the type shown in  FIG. 6  and a device of the type shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     As regards the preparation of the receptacle or capsule  1 , it is worth emphasising that, once the volume has been filled with the substance S 2 , the capsule  1  is closed, substantially in a tight manner, by applying the seal by means of a bonding agent or an adhesive or heat sealing techniques. This operation is generally carried out at the plant where the capsules are produced. 
     Once the capsule  1  containing the desired substance S 2  has been selected, for the assembly of the device the capsule is placed inside the support element  105  through the opening  106 , as shown in particular in  FIG. 20 , and successively the support element  105  is coupled to the ring nut  109 . 
     In this regard it is important to point out that in this stage the closing element  9  is coupled with the connection duct  111  and closes it. 
     Successively, the device  100  complete with the capsule  1  is anchored to the container  501 , screwing the ring nut  109  to the neck  503  of the container and obtaining the configuration shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     It should be observed that these assembly operations can be performed also by the user who, therefore, once having purchased the capsules containing the desired substances, will be able to choose the drink that he/she intends to consume at the moment of and in the place of consumption. 
     To activate the system  500  that, as explained above, appears as shown in detail in  FIG. 15 , the user removes the protection element  508  as shown in  FIG. 16  and acts on the device  100 . More precisely, he/she proceeds using the manoeuvring means  103  and more particularly moves the closing element  122  shifting it downwards. This places the shutter element  136  in contact with the closing element  9  of the cartridge  1 , thus causing it to move downwards. 
     This places the surface of the receptacle  1  and in particular the yielding area  5  in contact with the breaking means  102 . The user continues the operation and breaks the wall  4  in said area  5 , as shown in detail in  FIG. 17 , thus releasing the substance S 2  that falls into the container  501  and is mixed with the substance S 1 . In this situation, in fact, the movement of the closing element  122  of the cap  120  generates a mutual movement between the means  102  suited to break the walls  4  and the receptacle  1 , thus breaking the wall  4  itself. 
     It must be observed that in this situation the cap  120  is in the closing position and the user can thus advantageously shake the container to facilitate the mixing of the substances S 1 , S 2  without causing them to flow out of the container  501 . 
     Once the drink has been prepared, to extract the product the user places the closing element  122  in the open position and pours the product. More precisely, he opens the cap by acting on the closing element  122  and moves it upwards in the open position, as shown in detail in  FIG. 18 . 
     In this way, the shutter element  136  disengages from the connection duct  111 , creating a passage that is indicated by number  145  in  FIG. 18  and that, through the openings  107 , places the inside of the container  501  in communication with the external environment E. 
     After consuming the drink, the user can close the container  501  by moving the closing element  122  downwards. 
     In this way, the element  136  is engaged again in the connection duct  111 , closing it and preventing the drink from flowing out. 
     It should be observed that, advantageously, both the device and the system proposed can be assembled directly by the consumer or be assembled in the production plant and be sold ready for use. 
     It should also be observed that the receptacle  1 , once its wall has been broken, remains in that position. 
     This is ensured both by the breaking means  102  that penetrate the walls  4  and by the temporary support means  141 . 
     As to the substances S 1  and S 2 , it is clear that they can be of any nature and type and in particular be indifferently liquid or solid substances. 
     A construction variant of the system and the device of the invention, indicated as a whole and respectively by numbers  600  and  200  in the Figures from  12   a  to  12   d  differs from the previous one owing to the fact that it makes it possible to take the product S 1  also without mixing it with the substance S 2  contained in the receptacle  1   c.    
     More particularly, in the example represented herein this is obtained due to the special shape of the capsule  1   c , shown in  FIG. 12   e.    
     More precisely, in the particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, the height h 3  of the receptacle  1  is inferior to the distance h 2  between the beginning of the duct  111  and the temporary support means  141  for the capsule  1   c.    
     In this case, the duct  111  is closed by the closing element  122  and in particular by the shutter element  135 , as shown in detail in  FIG. 12   a.    
     The cap  120  can assume at least three positions that are respectively shown in  FIGS. 12   a ,  12   b  and  12   c . A first closing position is shown in  FIG. 12   a , where the shutter element  135  closes the duct  111 , thus preventing the substance and/or the drink from flowing out of the container. 
     A second opening position is shown in detail in  FIG. 12   b , where the shutter element  135  disengages from the duct  111 , thus allowing the product or the drink to flow out of the container through the slits  107  present in the tubular element  105 . 
     A third position is shown in detail in  FIG. 12   c , where the shutter element  135  activates the breaking means  102  and opens the capsule to allow the substance S 2  to be mixed with the product S 1 . Successively, the user can move the cap to the first position in order to take the substance mixed with the product, as shown in detail in  FIG. 12   d.    
     A further construction variant of the system and of the device of the invention, indicated as a whole and respectively by numbers  700  and  300  in the Figures from  13   a  to  13   d , with the capsule  1 , differs from the previous one owing to the fact that the cap  120  is not of the push-pull type. In particular, in this embodiment of the invention the cap  120  consists of a screw cap in which the closing element  122  is provided with a threading  160  suited to be coupled with a threading  161  created on the collar  121 . 
     A further construction variant of the system and of the device of the invention, indicated as a whole and respectively by numbers  800  and  400  in the Figures from  14   a  to  14   d , with a different capsule indicated as a whole by  1   d , differs from the previous one owing to the fact that the temporary support means  141  comprise a first thread  163  suited to be coupled with a corresponding thread  164  created on the capsule  1   d , as shown in the details of  FIGS. 14   a  and  14   c.    
     According to this solution, the shaped body  136  has a flattened shape suited to fit in a corresponding seat  166  created in the upper part of the capsule  1   d.    
     It is clear, however, that in other solutions the seat may be obtained in the element of the cap and that the shaped body may belong to the capsule  1   d.    
     In this case the user, when he/she intends to mix the substance S 2  with the product S 1 , rotates the closing element  122 , thus also causing the rotation of the capsule  1   d  that, thanks to the presence of the thread, will lower until breaking the closing seal as shown in  FIG. 14   c . Successively, to be able to drink the solution the user must simply rotate the closing element in the opposite direction, until opening the cap as shown in  FIG. 14   d . It should also be observed that when the closing element  122  is set rotating in one direction, it involves in its rotation the capsule  1   d  that lowers down due to the presence of the thread with which it engages, while, when the closing element  122  is set rotating in the opposite direction, it opens the dispensing duct. It is clear that this solution can be applied also to caps of the push-pull type. In this latter case, instead of the thread it is preferable to use recesses with which the closing element  122  engages. 
     The above description clearly shows that the solution proposed allows the drawbacks described to be eliminated. 
     It is important to point out that, to advantage, the proposed solution with the push-pull cap is particularly simple and compact and makes it possible, through the activation of the push-pull cap, both to break some parts of the walls of the capsule and to close/open the container  501  before or after the release of the substance in the container. 
     This also allows the user to open and close the container even without using his/her hands, by simply grasping the closing element, that is, the manoeuvring means, with his/her teeth. 
     Still advantageously, it is worth noting that in the same particular embodiment proposed with push-pull cap, a single element, that is, the closing element  122 , ensures both the tightness and the breakage of the capsule, which are achieved simply by moving the element itself in its open/closed positions. This advantageously makes it possible to reduce the number of components of the device/system, simplifying its construction and reducing its costs. 
     In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein said mutual movement is a linear movement and in particular it develops along a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the bottom of the container. According to other embodiments of the invention, said movement can for example be a rotary movement, as described above. 
     To advantage, the proposed solution allows also the user to change the capsule, as well as to remove the device from the container, and thus to choose the substances S 1  and S 2  that he/she wishes to mix to prepare the desired drink. 
     It should also be observed that according to the system proposed only the capsule must be of the disposable type. 
     In this regard it is important to point out the capsule may advantageously be made from a recyclable material, like for example a plastic and/or synthetic and/or metallic material and if necessary collected in order to fill it again. 
     It should also be observed that by properly dimensioning the ring nut  109  it is possible to obtain a device that can be associable with any container available on the market, thus advantageously increasing the versatility of the device itself. 
     It should also be observed that the proposed solution advantageously makes it possible to produce capsules, devices and systems that can even be assembled automatically, directly in the production lines. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to the attached drawings, it may undergo modifications in subsequent stages of its implementation that shall all come within the scope of the invention expressed in the following claims and shall consequently be covered by the present patent.