Patent Description:
Food or non-food formulations in the form of powder or fluid are very widespread. Said formulations must be stored and prepared under strict conditions of hygiene or safety. Formulations in the form of powder or fluid can be arranged in packaging separated from the contents in which they will subsequently be diluted or dispersed. For example, the formulation can be arranged in sealed packaging, said packaging being opened to release the powder or the fluid into a container such as a bottle. Said handling is generally carried out by the end-user and implies a risk of contamination of the water or the formulation.

Devices or containers comprising an independent reservoir for storing a formulation are known.

<CIT> describes a capsule that comprises a lower cap with a security strip that inserts removably into the mouth of a bottle. The upper part of the lower cap is open and provided with a neck that couples with an upper cap, also having a security strip. A reservoir is comprised within the upper cap and has a breakable bottom; the reservoir also internally comprises a cutter. The upper cap can move axially downwards with respect to the neck and the bottle, while it is prevented from moving upwards. The capsule also includes anchoring between the reservoir and the neck of the capsule when the reservoir is inserted in the neck. The process comprises a stage of filling the bottle with fizzy water, a stage of hermetically closing the bottle with a capsule containing substances to be added to the fizzy water, and a stage of introducing the substances into the fizzy water before consuming the drink.

<CIT> describes a closure that is closed at its outer end and allows a fluid product to be distributed in a bottle. Problems may arise when the recipient needs to cooperate with the neck of the container, in particular when the neck of the containers shows different formats, such as different diameters or different lengths.

Both <CIT> and <CIT> describe a recipient which is suitable to cooperate with the neck of a container to allow a product contained in the recipient to flow out into said container. In <CIT>, the recipient includes at least one reservoir; moveable sealing means to close the opening of the reservoir, and a socket wherein the moveable sealing means comprises at least one ring configured to cooperate with the neck of the container to allow the moveable sealing means to slide along the lower wall of the reservoir when the neck of the container exerts a pressure on said ring causing the opening of the one or more flaps. The moveable sealing means with one or more rings allows the recipient to adapt to the neck of containers showing different formats, such as different diameters or different lengths. For that purpose, at least one ring of the moveable sealing means comprises holding lugs configured to cooperate with an internal relief of the socket to maintain the moveable sealing means in position inside the socket, closing the opening of the reservoir.

The known recipients are interesting but there is still a need for more flexibility and adaptability in the shape and volume of the reservoir.

<CIT> discloses a bottle capable of storing or mixing two or more different materials. The bottle results from the combination of a general bottle body with a mixing means including an openable additive container. The bottle body may be separated from the additive container so that different materials can be separately stored and then combined with each other upon use.

<CIT> discloses a device for keeping two products in respective containers separate from one another, and for mixing them when desired for use. A seal including a sealing plate is connected to one of the containers, and a closure partition equipped with a seat is connected to the other of the containers. In a closed position, the sealing plate seals against the seat, but a relative translational displacement of the two containers moves the plate away from the seat, opens the seal, increases the internal volume of the assembly of the two containers, and allows the products to mix.

There is still a need for a device that is suitable to be mounted on a container to allow a solution to be prepared in situ by mixing a product contained in the device, for example, a fluid or a powder, with a liquid contained in the container and that shows flexibility in the choice of the reservoir so that it can be adapted to reservoirs of different diameters, different volumes, different constituting materials or different shapes while keeping good performance in the seal of the assembly. There is also a need for containers that can be used with simple and cost-effective cartridges. There is still a need for a recipient that can be used with containers that show different formats, such as different diameters or different lengths. There is still a need for a recipient that is easy and cheap to produce. There is still a need for a device that solves, at least in part, one or several of the aforesaid problems of the known devices.

According to a first aspect, the disclosure provides for a process of injection blow molding or injection stretch blow molding of an article; the process comprising a step of injection molding of a preform on a core pin followed by a step of blow molding or stretch blow molding of said preform; the process is remarkable in that the recipient; said recipient is a blow-molded article comprising:.

From the definition given, it is understood that the disclosure provides a recipient that is easy to cost-effectively produce. The recipient body comprises a reservoir and a ring that are irreversibly fixed to each other so that the seal of the assembly is preserved. The recipient is remarkable in that it provides in a single piece a reservoir and means to cooperate with a container or a cartridge for in situ mixing. Further advantages and technical effects are found in the following embodiments that may be combined in any suitable manner.

In a preferred embodiment, at least a part of the bottom wall of the reservoir is irreversibly fixed to the ring by welding on the upper face of the disc so that the recipient shows a weld line on its outer surface. After injection, the reservoir is blown into the mold (i.e. is blow molded) and welds to the ring due to the high temperature of the plastic. This process takes place in the mold in one step.

It is understood that the disc has an upper face and at least a part of the bottom wall of the reservoir arranged to face the disc is irreversibly fixed to the ring by welding on the upper face of the disc.

Since, the ring and the reservoir also come into one piece it is understood that the ring and at least the bottom wall of the reservoir come into one piece.

With preference, the recipient comprises a ring and a reservoir and the process comprise a step of welding of the reservoir to the ring and in that the step of blow molding or stretch blow molding the preform to form an article and the step of welding of the reservoir to the ring are done simultaneously.

In others words, the steps of blowing the reservoir and welding of the reservoir to the ring are done simultaneously.

In a preferred embodiment, the ring shows one or more holding reliefs.

According to the disclosure, the one or more holding reliefs are different from an internal relief of the socket being an internal thread.

For example, the outer surface of the central element is facing at least one internal relief of the socket and wherein the at least one internal relief of the socket is different from the one or more holding reliefs of the ring.

The recipient is a blow molded article selected from an injection blow molded article or an injection stretch blow molded article.

For example, the ring shows one or more holding reliefs; wherein the one or more holding reliefs are selected from one or more flats on the outer surface of the socket; one or more grooves or ribs extending along the length of the socket and placed on the outer surface of the socket; one or more lugs on the inner surface of the tube when the central element is a tube; one or more grooves or ribs extending along the length of the tube and placed on the inner surface of the tube when the central element is a tube; one or more notches in the thickness of the lower end of the socket and/or in the thickness of the lower end of the tube when the central element is a tube, a crenellation of the lower end of the socket and/or of the lower end of the tube when the central element is a tube.

The presence of the one or more holding reliefs is advantageous to the unscrewing and demolding with ejection of the article automatically and industrially, in particular when the article is a blow molded article selected from an injection blow molded article or an injection stretch blow molded article, wherein the socket the in shows an internal relief being internal thread.

In an embodiment, the reservoir has a wall thickness of at most <NUM>; preferably at most <NUM>; more preferably at most <NUM>.

For example, at least a part of the reservoir or the whole reservoir is surrounded by a housing made of one or more materials that can be the same or different from the material constituting the ring. With preference, the one or more materials of the housing are selected from plastic material, metal, wood, glass, cardboard, paper or any mixture thereof. The housing can be glued or not glued to the reservoir and/or to the ring.

For example, the central element is a tube and the lower end of the tube shows a beveled or twisted shape so that the tube shows a variation in length. Alternatively, the central element is a tube and the lower end of the tube is straight so that the tube shows no variation in length. For example, the reservoir is dimensioned to have a width greater than the diameter of the opening; with preference, the width of the reservoir is at least <NUM> times greater than the diameter of the opening; preferably at least <NUM>.

For example, the ring and the reservoir are made of plastic material being a thermoplastic material selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactide and any mixture thereof, or is made of plastic material being one or more polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate.

For example, the ring and/or at least a part of the reservoir is made of a plastic material comprising at least <NUM> wt. % of post-consumer resin based on the total weight of the plastic material; with preference, at least <NUM> wt. %; or at least <NUM> wt. %; or is entirely made of post-consumer resin.

The socket shows an internal relief being an internal thread that can be continuous or discontinuous.

For example, the disc has a lower face arranged internally to the ring and the lower face of the disc shows one or more securing means, or a sealing washer is fixed to the lower face of the disc.

For example, the central element is a tube, and the recipient further comprises sealing means arranged to close the tube at its lower end so that the product contained in the recipient is stored in both the reservoir and the tube.

For example, the recipient is a cartridge that is suitable to cooperate with the neck of a container to allow a product contained in the recipient to flow out into said container; the recipient is remarkable in that the central element is a tube and the recipient further comprises moveable sealing means arranged to close the tube at its lower end, the moveable sealing means comprising a cylindrical body with a higher and a lower aperture, and one or more flaps closing the lower aperture of the cylindrical body, wherein said cylindrical body is dimensioned to surround the tube and to slide along it between a closing and an opening position, wherein in the opening position the one or more flaps are opened by the pressure exerted by the tube on said flaps; with preference, one or more flaps are linked to the cylindrical body. For example, all the one or more flaps are linked to the cylindrical body.

The socket shows an internal relief and, for example, the moveable sealing means comprises at least one collar arranged on the external side of the cylindrical body and configured to cooperate with the neck of the container to allow the moveable sealing means to slide along the tube by a pressure exerted on said collar by the neck of the container causing the opening of the one or more flaps and at least one collar of the moveable sealing means comprises holding lugs configured to cooperate with the internal relief of the socket to maintain the moveable sealing means in position inside the socket, closing the tube.

For example, the movable sealing means comprises two collars distributed along the cylindrical body to show a lower collar and an upper collar wherein the lower collar is the one arranged to cooperate with the neck of the container and/or wherein the upper collar of the moveable sealing means comprises holding lugs configured to cooperate with an internal thread of the socket to maintain the moveable sealing means in position inside the socket, closing the tube.

For example; the socket shows a lower aperture dimensioned to receive the neck of the container, wherein the lower aperture has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the one or more collars of the movable sealing means.

For example, the lower end of the tube shows a beveled or twisted shape so that the tube shows a variation in length. Alternatively, the central element is a tube and the lower end of the tube is straight so that the tube shows no variation in length.

For example, the moveable sealing means comprise one flap or a plurality of flaps, each flap having at least one side in common with an adjacent flap and whose distal end forms a junction point or a junction line to said plurality of flaps and the lower end of the tube is arranged to exert a pressure on the proximal end on the flaps to open them when the moveable sealing means slide along the tube.

For example, the moveable sealing means comprise a single flap, wherein the flap is connected to the cylindrical body or to a collar by a frangible zone defining a perimeter of rupture, suitable to be ruptured by a pressure exerted by the lower end of the tube to open it when the moveable means slide along said tube, wherein the assembly formed by the flap and one or more of the cylindrical body and one or more collars come into one piece; and wherein the frangible zone is a portion of the flap having a reduced thickness; with preference, the flap is further connected to a collar by at least one hinge in a form of a leg showing an extra thickness portion.

For example, the recipient is a container that is suitable to cooperate with the neck of a cartridge; remarkable in that the central element is a blade suitable to cut the sealing means of the cartridge preferably to allow a product contained in the cartridge to flow out into said container. With preference, the central element is a blade and the blade is selected from a pick, a bevel or a tube with a bevelled or twisted shape.

For example, the recipient is a container that is suitable to cooperate with the neck of a cartridge; remarkable in that the central element is a spur suitable to push the sealing means of the cartridge to allow a product contained in the cartridge to flow out into said container. According to a second aspect, a preform is disclosed to produce by blow molding, preferably by injection blow molding or by injection stretch blow molding, a recipient according to the first aspect, the preform comprising a longitudinal body having a base at one longitudinal end and at an opposite end adjoining a neck section provided with a pouring aperture; the preform being remarkable in that the neck section is a ring comprising a central element and a socket surrounding the central element wherein both the socket and the central element show a lower end and an upper end, and are connected by their respective upper ends by means of a disc with a central aperture; wherein the assembly comprising the socket, the central element and the disc is forming a ring that comes into one piece; wherein the diameter of the longitudinal body is smaller than the diameter of the neck section so that the neck section shows a shoulder at the base of the longitudinal body.

In a preferred example, the ring shows one or more holding reliefs. The socket of the ring of the neck section of the preform shows an internal relief being an internal thread. With preference, the outer surface of the central element is facing at least one internal relief of the socket. The internal thread can be continuous or discontinuous.

For example, the one or more holding reliefs are selected from one or more flats on the outer surface of the socket; one or more grooves or ribs extending along the length of the socket and placed on the outer surface of the socket; one or more lugs on the inner surface of the tube when the central element is a tube; one or more grooves or ribs extending along the length of the tube and placed on the inner surface of the tube when the central element is a tube; one or more notches in the thickness of the lower end of the socket and/or in the thickness of the lower end of the tube when the central element is a tube; a crenellation of the lower end of the socket and/or of the lower end of the tube when the central element is a tube. The presence of the one or more holding reliefs molded in the preform is advantageous to the unscrewing and demolding with ejection of the article automatically and industrially at a later stage of the process injection blow molding or injection stretch blow molding.

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

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

Reference is made to <FIG> and <FIG>. In <FIG>, a recipient <NUM> according to the disclosure is depicted, said recipient <NUM> is suitable to cooperate with the neck of a container (see <FIG>) to allow a product contained in the recipient <NUM> to flow out into said container. In <FIG>, a recipient <NUM> according to the disclosure is depicted, said recipient <NUM> is suitable to cooperate with the neck <NUM> of a cartridge <NUM> to allow a product contained in the reservoir <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> to flow out into a reservoir <NUM> of the recipient <NUM>.

On <FIG> the recipient <NUM> is depicted without sealing means. The recipient <NUM> comprises a reservoir <NUM> which is suitable to contain said product, the reservoir having wall including a bottom wall <NUM> comprising an opening <NUM>; a central element being a tube <NUM> arranged at the opening <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>; a socket <NUM> arranged to surround the tube <NUM>.

According to the disclosure, the central element (<NUM>, <NUM>) can be selected from a tube <NUM> and/or a blade <NUM>. In <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the central element is depicted as a tube <NUM>. The central element (<NUM>,<NUM>) is advantageously selected to be a tube <NUM> when the recipient <NUM> is a cartridge that is suitable to cooperate with the neck of a container to allow a product contained in the recipient to flow out into said container. In <FIG>, the central element (<NUM>, <NUM>) is depicted as a blade <NUM>. The central element (<NUM>, <NUM>) is advantageously selected to be a blade <NUM> when the recipient <NUM> is a container that is suitable to cooperate with the neck <NUM> of a cartridge <NUM> to allow a product contained in the cartridge <NUM> to flow out into the reservoir <NUM> of said recipient <NUM>.

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

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

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

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

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

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

According to the invention, the socket <NUM> of the ring <NUM> shows an internal relief <NUM> being an internal thread. For example, the outer surface of the central element (<NUM>; <NUM>) is facing at least one internal relief <NUM> of the socket <NUM>. For example, the length of the socket <NUM> is greater or equal to the length of the central element (<NUM>; <NUM>). For example, the disc <NUM>, the socket <NUM> and the tube <NUM> are arranged concentrically. For example, the internal thread is continuous or is discontinuous.

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

For example, the one or more holding reliefs (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), as shown in <FIG>, are selected from one or more flats <NUM> on the outer surface of the socket <NUM>; one or more grooves or ribs extending along the length of the socket <NUM> and placed on the outer surface of the socket <NUM>; one or more lugs on the inner surface of the tube <NUM> when the central element is a tube <NUM>; one or more grooves or ribs <NUM> extending along the length of the tube <NUM> and placed on the inner surface of the tube <NUM> when the central element is a tube; one or more notches <NUM> in the thickness of the lower end of the socket <NUM> and/or in the thickness of the lower end of the tube <NUM> when the central element is a tube, a crenellation of the lower end of the socket <NUM> and/or of the lower end of the tube <NUM> when the central element is a tube.

<FIG> illustrates an example of holding reliefs according to the disclosure wherein one or more ribs <NUM> are extending along the length of the tube <NUM> and placed on the inner surface of the tube <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates another example of holding reliefs according to the disclosure wherein one or more notches <NUM> are formed in the thickness of the lower end of the socket <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates another example of holding reliefs according to the disclosure wherein at least one flat <NUM> is present on the outer surface of the socket <NUM>.

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

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

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

In case it is not inserted into the blow mold the final recipient will have at least a part of the bottom wall <NUM> of the reservoir arranged to face the disc and the reservoir is irreversibly fixed to the ring <NUM> through the central element (<NUM>; <NUM>).

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

As a result of the welding of the bottom wall of the reservoir <NUM> on the ring <NUM>, the recipient <NUM> shows a weld line <NUM> on its outer surface as illustrated in <FIG>.

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

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

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

The presence of the one or more holding reliefs (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is therefore advantageous to the unscrewing and demolding with ejection of the article automatically and industrially.

Since the recipient is a blow-molded article it is possible for the reservoir to have a thin wall. Thus, in an embodiment, the reservoir has a wall thickness of at most <NUM>; preferably at most <NUM>; more preferably at most <NUM>. For example, the reservoir has a wall thickness of at least <NUM>.

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

For example, the reservoir <NUM> is dimensioned to have a width greater than the diameter of the opening <NUM> or the tube <NUM>; with preference, the width of the reservoir <NUM> is at least <NUM> times greater than the diameter of the opening <NUM> or the tube <NUM>, more preferably, at least <NUM> times greater; more preferably at least <NUM> times greater, even more preferably at least <NUM> times greater, most preferably at least <NUM> times greater; or at least <NUM> times greater.

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

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

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

For example, the ring <NUM> and/or the reservoir <NUM> is made of a plastic material comprising at least <NUM> wt. % of post-consumer resin based on the total weight of the plastic material; with preference, at least <NUM> wt. %; or at least <NUM> wt. %; or at least <NUM> wt. %; or is entirely made of post-consumer resin (i.e. <NUM> wt. For example, wherein the post-consumer resin is a blend of recycled polypropylene and recycled polyethylene, wherein the content of the recycled polyethylene is ranging from <NUM> to <NUM> wt. % relative to the total weight of the post-consumer resin. For example, wherein the post-consumer resin is a blend of recycled polypropylene and recycled polyethylene, wherein the content of the recycled polypropylene is ranging from <NUM> to <NUM> wt. % relative to the total weight of the post-consumer resin.

For example, the central aperture of the disc <NUM> has a diameter equal to or greater than the opening <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>; and/or the central aperture of the disc <NUM> has a diameter equal or lower than the internal diameter of the tube <NUM>.

For example, the length of the socket <NUM> is greater or equal to the length of the central element (<NUM>; <NUM>); and/or the disc, the socket <NUM> and the central element (<NUM>; <NUM>) are arranged concentrically; and/or the socket <NUM> shows an internal relief <NUM> which faces the central element (<NUM>; <NUM>); with preference, the internal relief <NUM> of the socket <NUM> is an internal thread or one or more lugs or one or more grooves.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As depicted in <FIG>, the movable sealing means <NUM> may comprise two collars (<NUM>, <NUM>) distributed along the cylindrical body <NUM> to show a lower collar <NUM> and an upper collar <NUM>, wherein the lower collar <NUM> is the one arranged to cooperate with the neck <NUM> of the container.

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

In an embodiment, the recipient <NUM>, the socket <NUM> shows a lower aperture dimensioned to receive the neck <NUM> of the container. As it can be seen in <FIG>, the lower aperture of the socket <NUM> has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the collar or at least one of the collars (<NUM>, <NUM>), of the movable sealing means <NUM>. When the socket <NUM> comprises an internal thread <NUM>, the internal diameter of the socket <NUM> is reduced by said internal thread. When the movable sealing means comprises only one collar, this collar has an external diameter lower than the internal diameter of the socket <NUM>. In such a case, the collar, which is the collar configured to cooperate with the neck of the container, preferably further shows holding lugs <NUM> configured to cooperate with an internal thread of the socket <NUM>, or with clipping means inside the socket <NUM>, to maintain the moveable sealing means in position inside the socket <NUM>, closing the opening of the reservoir.

When the movable sealing means comprise two collars (<NUM>, <NUM>) at least the lower collar <NUM> has an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the socket <NUM>. Preferably both the upper and the lower collars (<NUM>, <NUM>) have an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the socket <NUM>. This allows the moveable sealing means <NUM> to move inside the socket <NUM>.

When the movable sealing means comprise two collars (<NUM>, <NUM>), the upper collar <NUM> preferably comprises holding lugs <NUM> configured to cooperate with an internal thread <NUM> of the socket <NUM> to maintain the moveable sealing means <NUM> in position inside the socket <NUM>, closing the tube <NUM>. Preferably, the holding lugs <NUM> are laid on the top of the internal thread <NUM> of the socket <NUM> in order not to be retained by the thread <NUM> when the movable sealing means is sliding along the tube <NUM>. In such an embodiment, it is understood that the recipient <NUM> can be screwed on the neck <NUM> of the container, the internal thread of the socket <NUM> cooperating with the external thread <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container.

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

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

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

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

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

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

<FIG> shows a sectional view of a recipient <NUM> according to the disclosure, in its closed position, i.e. before the opening of the movable sealing means <NUM>. <FIG> shows a sectional view of a recipient <NUM> according to the disclosure in its opened position, i.e. after the opening of the movable sealing means <NUM>. The displacement of the tube <NUM> through the movable sealing means <NUM> has allowed the frangible zone arranged in the periphery of the flap <NUM> to break. The flap <NUM> cooperates with the lower end of tube <NUM> to be open. The hinge <NUM> of the flap <NUM> nevertheless remains connected to the lower collar <NUM> of the movable sealing means <NUM>.

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

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

<FIG> shows the recipient <NUM> being a container which is suitable to cooperate with the neck <NUM> of a cartridge <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> is in the form of a small bottle with a reservoir <NUM> and a neck with an external thread <NUM>. The neck <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> is closed by sealing means <NUM> such as an operculum in plastic and/or metal. The central element is a blade <NUM> suitable to cut the sealing means of the cartridge <NUM> to allow a product contained in the cartridge <NUM> to flow out into the reservoir <NUM> of said recipient <NUM>. It is understood that the cartridge <NUM> can be screwed on the ring <NUM> of the recipient, the internal thread of the socket <NUM> cooperating with the external thread <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. The screwing movement allows the blade <NUM> to puncture and cut the sealing means <NUM>.

For example, the blade <NUM> is selected from a pick, a bevel or a tube with a bevelled or twisted shape. In <FIG>, the blade <NUM> is depicted as a bevel.

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

On <FIG> an example of a set <NUM> comprising a cartridge and a container is illustrated. In the set, the cartridge and the container are pre-assembled or not. In the embodiment illustrated, the cartridge and the container are pre-assembled in that the internal thread or relief <NUM> of the socket <NUM> is already engaged with the external thread <NUM> or relief of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The set can comprise a tamper evident removable seal <NUM> or not. It is preferred that when the cartridge and the container are pre-assembled, the set comprises a tamper evident removable seal <NUM>. The set <NUM> comprises a cartridge that is a recipient <NUM> according to the present disclosure pre-assembled with a container <NUM>. However, in an embodiment not illustrated, the set may comprise a container that is a recipient according to the present disclosure pre-assembled with a cartridge.

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

Once the tamper evident removable seal <NUM> is removed the cartridge <NUM> can be screwed on the neck of the container <NUM>, the internal thread or relief <NUM> of the socket <NUM> cooperating with the external thread <NUM> or relief of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The screwing movement allows the opening of the movable sealing means <NUM>. In an embodiment not illustrated the cartridge is pushed toward the container.

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