Patent Publication Number: US-11046488-B2

Title: Container with multi depressible cap press top

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION 
     The invention described and claimed hereinbelow is a National Stage Application of PCT/EP2015/081471, filed on Dec. 31, 2015 (the PCT application), now filed in the United States under 35 USC § 371. The content of the PCT application is incorporated by reference herein. The PCT application provides the basis for a claim for priority of invention. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a substance container, a container cap to be filled with an additive, and a method wherein to a substance in the container with thereon the cap an additive present in a cap space is to be added. 
     Substance containers provided with a cap with therein some additive are popular nowadays. The additive has to be kept isolated and water tight separated from the content of the container until the user decides to mix them. Thereafter the cap can for example be unscrewed from the spout of the container to consume the mixture. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved substance container, cap and method for storing and conserving the additive in the cap as well as for effectively liberating the additive and mixing it with the substance in the container in a way as less obstructive as possible and by means of an easily, safely operated, reliably reproducible and easy to manufacture cap. 
     Thereto the substance container, cap and method according to the invention have the features of the independent claims. 
     It is an advantage of the present inventions that when generally manually pressing the press top of the cap, first the pushing means translate, that is move in a straight line, to and through the seal to sever the seal in seal parts. Till this time the spreading means do not spread and stay together. Only thereafter when one presses further on the press top the seal parts are spread out by the spreading means, which allows the additive to fall into and mix with the content of the container. Pressing and further pressing mark the operation according to the invention due to the arrangement of the two step controlled flexible top, wherein respectively the pushing translate the pushing means which sever the seal and thereafter the spreading means spread and open the seal parts further, while both the aforementioned means are attached to said opposite top side of the flexible press top. The two step flexing arrangement of the flexible top creates the wanted different movements of both said means during such pressing and further pressing respectively. Furthermore only one movement or movement direction is required for manually operating the press top cap which eases the user operations and handling of the substance container and cap according to the invention. 
     These two consecutive operating steps according to the invention solve a problem often experienced in practice with simultaneously piercing the seal and spreading the cut seal parts or even worse spreading before piercing through the seal In both these cases this leads to a poor access of the additive and a bad opening of the seal, leading to a defective mixing of additive and substance. In such cases more than once spreading means which are not equipped for taking up pushing forces that is piercing and cutting forces break off and/or the seal hardly opens or is ripped off. This may even lead to cutting means, spreading means and/or seal parts ending up in the mixture. 
     Most preferably the material of the seal is pre-weakened, which has several advantages, such as the fact that in that case lesser sharp pushing means are necessary as the seal material will be pushed and pierced at a lower applied force with reduced breaking chances. In addition the tears/rips made along the pre-weakened lines have sharp edges showing no frays, and furthermore the accuracy of the landing place of the pushing means on the seal to be severed as well as the place where the spreading means will spread the pushed through seal parts is less critical, as the seal is then mechanically weaker along its pre-weakened lines. 
     A very easy to manufacture embodiment of the container according to the invention is characterised in that the controllably flexing parts of the flexible press top are integrated in material of a flexible cone surrounding a press knob of the flexible press top. 
     This cone embodiment is particularly compact and easy to manufacture, at wish as a one piece cap. After pressing and further pressing respectively the flexing parts controllably bend/buckle and distort successively. 
     An advantageously combined embodiment of the substance container according to the invention is characterised in that the pushing means and the spreading means are both provided on a number of longitudinal tongues, which reach through the cap space having its cap space opening closed by a pre-weakened material seal, and which on their upper tongue ends are attached to the lower side of the flexible press top. 
     The tongues embody and are provided with both the pushing and spreading means and consequently less generally plastic material is required for manufacturing, less handling is involved in operating the cap and a reduced weight results. 
     A preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterised in that the pushing means which are directed to the seal are initially at a distance (a) from the un-pushed seal. 
     Advantageously this prevents the pushing and/or spreading means, which are either or not provided on the tongues from unintentionally damaging the seal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       At present the substance container, cap and method according to the invention will be elucidated further together with their further advantages, while reference is being made to the appended drawings, wherein similar components are being referred to by means of the same reference numerals. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a substance container provided with a cap both according to the invention closing off the container which has a tamper evident means mounted thereon. 
         FIGS. 2 a , 2 b  and 2 c    respective cross sections of the cap according to a first embodiment of the invention each with encircled enlarged details of respective press states of its flexible top. 
         FIGS. 3 a -3 h    successive press positions of respective pushing means and spreading means of the cap according to the  FIGS. 2 a , 2 b  and 2 c    at successive press states of its flexible top. 
         FIGS. 4 a , 4 b  and 4 c    respective cross sections of the cap according to the second embodiment of the invention each with encircled enlarged details of respective press states of its flexible top. 
         FIGS. 5 a -5 h    successive press positions of pushing means and spreading means both provided on tongues of the cap of  FIGS. 4 a , 4 b    and  4   c;    
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    a tamper evident means on the cap according to either of possible embodiments of the invention in un-tampered and tampered states respectively; and 
         FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    a tamper-evident means in the form of an over cap on the cap in either of possible embodiments of the invention in un-tampered and tampered states respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a container  1  meant to be filled with media, generally some liquid substance. The substance container  1  has a spout  2  whereon a cap  3  is provided which closes off the opening  4  of the spout  2  in an airtight manner. Normally the cap  3  is screwed on the spout  2 , for example by means of an external screw thread on the spout  2  and an corresponding internal thread in a circumferential cavity  5  of the cap  3 . 
     The cap  3  as further shown in the first preferred embodiment in cross sections in  FIGS. 2 a , 2 b  and 2 c    with accompanying encircled enlarged details defines a cap space  6  which is normally filled with an additive, such as a vitalising liquid or powder, which ultimately is to be mixed with the substance in the container  1 , prior to being consumed. The additive may for example also be an additive or a liquid such as a drink, but for example also cleaning fluids, solvents, paints etcetera are possible. 
     The cap space  6  has an opening  7  which is closed by means of a seal  8 . The material of the seal may for example comprise paper, carton, plastic, or a metal such as aluminium. The seal  8  may or may not be pre-weakened, as will be explained hereinafter. 
     The upper part of the cap  3  has a flexible press top  9  whose upper side  10  can be depressed. Opposite the side  10  the flexible top  9  has its opposite lower side  11 . Attached to this opposite side  11  are one end of pushing means  12  which reach through the cap space  6 , while their other ends are directed to the opening  7  of the cap space  6 , as shown in  FIG. 2   a.    
     Attached to an annular conical relatively stiff part  15 - 1  at lower side  11  which lies in between controllably less stiff flexing parts  14 - 1  and  14 - 2  of the flexible press top  9  is a in this case truncated cone  15 . The cone  15  surrounds a press knob  19  mounted centrally on top of the press top  9 . Spreading means  13  reach through the cap space  6 , while the lower ends of the means  13  are directed to the opening  7  of the cap space  6 , as also shown in  FIG. 2 a   . The lower ends of the spreading means  13  as shown here are at a slightly larger distance from the opening  7  than lower ends of the pushing means  12 , whose lower ends are later intended to translate through the seal  8  (cf. a in  FIG. 2 a   ). 
     Upon depression of the flexible press top  9  the pushing means  12  which are attached to the lower side  11 —as shown centrally at the lower end of the knob  19 —translate to the opening  7  approach and contact the seal  8 , as shown in  FIG. 2 b   , and push through the seal  8 , which may or may not be pre-weakened. If pre-weakened the pushing means  12  lower edges which sever the seal  8  do not have to be sharp; if not pre-weakened these edges may have sharper cutting edges. The flexible top  9  is further arranged such that the spreading means  13  also reaching through the cap space  6  are attached to the stiffer part  15 - 1  in the vicinity of the part  14 - 2 , which in turn is stiffer than the part  14 - 1 . So, if the knob  19  is being pushed the lower edges of the pushing means  12  push through the seal  8 , and meanwhile the lower ends of the spreading means  13  hold their radial position. This position is being maintained until part  14 - 1  is fully deformed downwards, as shown in  FIG. 2 b   . If knob  19  is further depressed then stiffer part  14 - 2  comes into operation and starts to flex. This marks the radial spreading of the lower ends of the spreading means  13  fixed close to that part  14 - 2  on the stiff part  15 - 1 , shown in  FIG. 2   c.    
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2  the holding of their radial position during the translation is technically realised by creating the two controllably flexing parts  14 - 1 ,  14 - 2  in the cone  15  of the flexible press top  9 . Now in more detail going from the initial position of  FIG. 2 a    to the first press position shown in  FIG. 2 b    only the detailed left flexing part  14 - 1  deforms. This is done by a first deformation of only the part  14 - 1  of the flexible cone  15 , which surrounds the knob  19 . Thereto the part  14 - 1  is made broader, at least more flexible, than the other flexing part  14 - 2 ; the latter also lies closer to the centre of the side  10 ,  11 . From  FIG. 2 a    to  FIG. 2 b    the stiffer conical surface  15 - 1  between the two flex parts  14 - 1  and  14 - 2  is parallel displaced downward and consequently the spreading means  13  are also parallel displaced, thus holding their radial position A. In response to the further depression the spreading means  13  are spread radially outwardly, as shown in  FIG. 2 c   , to allow the additive and substance to be mixed. The further depression leads to the bending of flex part  14 - 2  and flipping of the flexible cone  15  from a convex shape to a concave shape. Consequently the cone part  15 - 1  is angularly displaced which spreads the spreading means  13  attached thereto to radial position B, while extending downward over a short distance b ( FIG. 2 c   ). This spreads the pushed and pierced seal parts  8 - 1 ,  8 - 2  radially outwardly. 
     Generally speaking the flexural stiffness of the material parts of the two flex parts  14 - 1 ,  14 - 2  differ, as the stiffness of part  14 - 2  is greater than that of part  14 - 1 , at least in the direction in which the flexible top  9  is to be pressed. Different stiffnesses while using the same material of the cap  3  can be created by making a proper choice of the thicknesses and/or lengths x, y of the flexible parts  14 - 1 ,  14 - 2 . 
     Preferably the press top  9  does not have to be kept manually depressed in order to keep the spreading means  13  in spread out state. This is achieved by devising the parts  14 - 1 ,  14 - 2  such that they both keep their buckled end positions and do not spring back. 
     The optimisation of integrating both the parts  14 - 1  and  14 - 2  in one flexible cone material eases the manufacturing, possibly in a one piece cap manufacturing process, reduces the dimensions of the cap and reduces its weight. The parts  14 - 1 ,  14 - 2 ,  15  if annular cone parts, secure an airtight closing of the cap space  6  filled with possibly hygroscopic and/or oxygen sensitive additives. 
     In particular the pushing and spreading of the seal  8  and seal parts  8 - 1 ,  8 - 2  in this first embodiment is outlined further in  FIGS. 3 a -3 h    showing successive positions of the central and radial pushing means  12  and separate transversal spreading means  13  at successive press states of the flexible top  9  where  FIGS. 3 a -3 d    show cross sections of the cap  8  and  FIGS. 3 e -3 h    show the respective perspective views.  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 e    show the cap  3  according to the first embodiment before the provision of the seal  8 .  FIGS. 3 b  and 3 f    can be related to  FIG. 2 a    where the pushing means  12  are a distance a above the seal  8  to prevent accidental cutting of the seal  8 .  FIGS. 3 c  and 3 g    can be related to  FIG. 2 b    where the pushing means  12  have pushed through the seal  8  and the spreading means  13  contact seal  8 .  FIGS. 3 d  and 3 h    show the seal  8  being spread by the spreading means  13 . 
     More preferably the spreading means  13  extend in tangential direction within the cap space  6  relative to the radial direction which is perpendicular thereto, which is shown in  FIG. 3 e   .  FIGS. 3 c  and 3 g    show the pushing of the seal  8  creating the pushed through seal parts  8 - 1 ,  8 - 2  etcetera.  FIGS. 3 d  and 3 h    show the situation after the consecutive spreading of these parts. Preferably the pierced seal parts  8 - 1 ,  8 - 2  are spread out till against edges  17  of the opening  7  of the cap  3  which makes it easier for powders to fall out or to be rinsed out of the cap space  6 . This is in particular true for grains and powders which tend to coagulate in the corners of the cap space  6 , for example hygroscopic powders and/or oxygen sensitive additives, which are generally more difficult to rinse or shake out. 
     The cap  3  as further shown in the second embodiment in cross sections in  FIGS. 4 a , 4 b  and 4 c    defines a cap space  6  which may likewise be filled with a additive, such as a vitalising liquid or powder, which ultimately is to be mixed with the substance in the container  1 , prior to being consumed. Where in the first embodiment the pushing means  12  and spreading means  13  are separate means, said means  12  and  13  are both mounted on tongues  16 . 
     In particular the translating pushing and radial spreading of the seal  8  and seal parts  8 - 1 ,  8 - 2  in the second preferred embodiment is outlined further in  FIGS. 5 a -5 h    showing successive positions of the combined pushing/spreading means  12 / 13  both provided on tongues  16  at successive press states of the flexible top  9 .  FIGS. 5 a   - 5   d  show cross sections of the cap and  FIGS. 5 e -5 h    the respective perspective views.  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 e    show the cap according to the second embodiment before the provision of the seal  8 .  FIGS. 5 b  and 5 f    can be related to  FIG. 4 a    where said means  12 / 13  are a distance, like a in  FIG. 4 a   , above the seal  8  to prevent accidental cutting of the seal  8 .  FIGS. 5 c  and 5 g    can be related to  FIG. 4 b    where the seal  8  is severed and torn apart by the lower ends of the tongues  16  at the here preferably pre-weakened areas and the distance a between the means  12 / 13  and seal  8  is approximately zero.  FIGS. 5 d  and 5 h    show the seal  8  being spread by the means  13  present on the side edges of the tongues  16 .  FIG. 5 f    shows the seal  8  being pre-weakened, which can be done by partly pre-cutting the seal  8 , etching or some other way such as with a laser to remove part of the seal surface material and make it partly thinner. Two crossing lines in  FIG. 5 f    indicate pre-weakened seal lines. Consequently the intersection of these lines is weakest and thus it is most easy to start the contacting and pushing at this intersection, as this will cost less force to tear the seal  8  first. This also reduces the chance that the combined de-central pushing/spreading means  13  on the tongues  16  break. 
     The upper ends of in this case the combined means  12 / 13  are attached to said inner conical part  15 - 1  of the truncated cone  15 . In case tearing starts at the intersection then tearing and spreading of cut seal parts  8 - 1  by the means  12  and  13  respectively may even take place by more rounded off means edges, which are easier to make. As shown the means  12 / 13  extend tangentially within the cap space  6 , which is e.g. shown in  FIG. 5 e   , as opposed to the pushing means radial extension elucidated with regard to the first cap embodiment.  FIGS. 5 c  and 5 g    show the tearing of the seal  8  creating the pushed cut seal parts  8 - 1 ,  8 - 2  etcetera.  FIGS. 5 d  and 5 h    show the situation after the consecutive spreading of these parts. Preferably the cut seal parts  8 - 1 ,  8 - 2  etcetera are spread out till against edges  17  of the opening  7  of the cap  3  which makes it easier for additives, such as powders to fall out or to be rinsed out of the cap space  6 . This is in particular true for grains and powders which tend to coagulate in the corners of the cap space  6 , for example hygroscopic powders, which are generally more difficult to rinse or shake out. 
     At wish any technical aspects of the explicitly described first and second embodiments may be combined. 
       FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    show a tamper evident means  18  that is integrated as one single breakable part with the cap  3 . In this case provided around and across at least the flexible top  9  and/or knob  19  on top of the upper side  10  in un-tampered and tampered states respectively. In order to be able to activate the cap  3  by pressing the upper side  10  and/or knob  19  it is necessary to bend the tamper evident means  18  to the side in order access the depressible upper side  10  and/or knob  19 . When bending the tamper evident means  18  to the side small connections between tamper evident means  18  and knob  19  will be broken, clearly showing a tampering of the cap  3 . 
       FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    show a tamper evident over cap means  20  that comprises of a separate part that is attached to cap  3  by means of clicking, welding or any other means of attachment. The tamper evident means  20  has a truncated cone  21  just like cap  3  with a push area  25  at the centre. This push area is in contact with the upper push area side  10  of the cap  3 . The truncated cone  21  of the tamper evident means  20  has a travel length that is equal or larger than the translation travel and travel caused by the flipping of the cone  15  of cap  3 . The truncated cone  21  of tamper evident means  20  has areas  22  that are cut loose from the surroundings creating a gap  23  between areas  22  and the rest of tamper evident means  20 . In the gaps  23  there are some small connections  24  between areas  22  and the rest of tamper evident means  20 . When pressure is applied to the push area  25  in order to activate cap  3 , the truncated cone  21  will flip from the convex shape in  FIG. 7 a    to the concave shape in  FIG. 7 b   . The areas  22  will rotate together with the angular movement of the truncated cone  21 . During this movement the connections  24  will be torn. The torn connections  24  as well as the wide open gap  23  between areas  22  and the rest of cap  3  will clearly show tampering. 
     Advantageously the push area  25  of the tamper evident means  20  is protected from accidental activation because edge  26  is higher than the push area  25 . Stacking of bottles cannot lead to accidental activation this way. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
     
         
         Substance container  1   
         Spout  2   
         Cap  3   
         Opening  4  of  2   
         Cavity  5   
         Cap space  6   
         Opening  7  of  6   
         Seal  8 , pushed through seal parts  8 - 1 ,  8 - 2   
         Flexible press top  9   
         Controllably flexing parts  14 - 1 ,  14 - 2   
         Upper side  10  of  9 ; lower side  11  of  9   
         Pushing means 
         Spreading means  13   
         Cone  15 , annular part  15 - 1   
         Longitudinal tongues  16   
         Edges  17  of  7   
         Tamper evident means  18   
         Push knob  19   
         Over cap means  20   
         Truncated cone  21   
         Areas  22   
         Gap  23   
         Connections  24   
         Push area  25   
         Distances a, A, x, y, b, B