U.S. patent application number 13/092288 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-27 for concentrate release cap.
Invention is credited to Jose Rodrigo Oliva SALINAS.
Application Number | 20110259769 13/092288 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44814876 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110259769 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SALINAS; Jose Rodrigo
Oliva |
October 27, 2011 |
CONCENTRATE RELEASE CAP
Abstract
A cap keeping separate the product and the liquid in a bottle,
until the moment of consumption. It is useful for products having a
short shelf life once mixed to each other, the product concentrate
with the liquid. The concentrate product is mixed opening the seal
closed in a way that the shelf life of the product is the one
required by the market, opening the seal of the cylinder containing
the product concentrate, pressing with the finger on the top part
of the cap and allowing release of the mix of the product with the
liquid, so the consumer can drink the beverage with the
nutritional, medicinal, functional features, etc., as offered by
the manufacturer to the public.
Inventors: |
SALINAS; Jose Rodrigo Oliva;
(US) |
Family ID: |
44814876 |
Appl. No.: |
13/092288 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/2864
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/219 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/08 20060101
B65D025/08; B65D 53/00 20060101 B65D053/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 23, 2010 |
MX |
MX/A/2010/004472 |
Claims
1. Concentrate release cap to extend the shelf life of a beverage,
comprises two independent plastic parts, the body of the cap and
seal keeping separate the liquid of the bottle and the flavor
concentrate in the corresponding compartment; the cap comprises a
flexible top center provided with spring style bends, a external
skirt and a tamper-proof band, a cylinder body with perimeter rim
inclined inside thereof defining the contact surface or seal; a
central stem concentric to the cylinder body and having a coupling
pin in the bottom end; a barrel shaped seal with two end inclined
side faces or seal surfaces, a vertical side face seating in the
side edge of the cylinder body, the seal fastening to the cap is
made at the center thereof having a structure with a central
cylinder body and a disc, the cylinder body defines a cavity with
groove and intermediate perimeter rim that upon opening allows the
passage of the stem pin, which also has a groove to ease the
insertion of the seal structural body; once the seal is coupled to
the cylinder body defines a tight closed cavity retaining inside a
concentrate and release by pressing the caps flexible center kept
is deployed position pushing the stem and seal joined thereto,
generating a perimeter escape space of the concentrate.
2. The concentrate release cap according to claim 1, further
wherein the flexible center occupies the base of the internal
cylinder body and is located joined to the internal wall thereof,
having an horizontal flat center joined to two concentric perimeter
bends defining a perimeter channel like bellows or spring.
3. The concentrate release cap according to claim 1, further
wherein the central stem is located joined to the internal face of
the horizontal flat center and at the other end having a coupling
pin wherein is pressure inserted the barrel shaped seal internal
structure.
4. The concentrate release cap according to claim 1, further
wherein the spring defined by the perimeter bends of the flexible
center, prevents the central stem to return to its original closure
position.
5. The concentrate release cap according to claim 1, further
wherein the seal is located by pressure, with the cap in inverted
position, upwards and with the compartment thereof filled with
flavor concentrate.
6. The concentrate release cap according to claim 1, further
wherein the seal comprises a barrel type round shape, with a
central internal cylindrical structure, issuing from a horizontal
disc in which ends has a rhombic cross-section ring defining a bump
central surface and two coupling symmetric surfaces, each one with
their respective perimeter ring acting as seal between the
surfaces.
7. The concentrate release cap according to claim 1, further
wherein the seal has a rhombic side section symmetric shape and
allows the coupling in the stem in any of its two top and bottom
faces.
8. The concentrate release cap according to claim 1, further
wherein the flexible center to be pressed for opening the seal
having a concentric bends geometry keeping it closed with the seal
in the same position after filling; opening the seal prevents
return to the closure original position, keeping open the seal to
ensure complete mixture of the liquid with the concentrate of the
cap.
9. The concentrate release cap according to claim 1, further
wherein the internal tab of the cylinder body or the contact area
with seal has an angle larger than the seal contact wall, with this
ensuring a tight closure between seal and cap.
10. The concentrate release cap according to claim 1, further
wherein a ring is used in the seal external diameter ensuring
correct location with the external diameter in the cylinder body of
the cap.
11. The concentrate release cap according to claim 1, further
wherein the concentrate is released opening the seal by pressure in
the flexible center of the cap to drive the stem, in turn the seal
and uncoupling its closure position to mix the concentrate with the
contents of the bottle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a metering cap or closure,
more particularly a concentrate release cap within a beverage
container to feed the concentrate, the concentrate can be a
flavoring, vitamin supplement, medicine supplement or another.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of application is the market of flavor beverages,
energy supplements, food supplements, vitamin supplements, natural
supplements, medicine supplements, chemical supplements or others,
that once they are mixed with the liquid, their shelf life is
substantially reduced, thus once they are mixed they should be
consumed or used in a short time.
[0003] The product or concentrate to mix, which may be powder,
pellets or liquid held in the cavity or liquid held in the cavity
or tight of cap, are used to close bottles previously filled with
liquid in the bottling lines, leaving the bottle with the cap ready
for delivery to the market, an operation of bottle labeling and/or
secondary packaging may remain outstanding.
[0004] Previous filling of the caps can be done in a cap filling
parallel line, within the bottling plant, and feeding these caps
with product to the bottling lines or filling the caps in an
independent plant and send them to the bottling plant for their
application in the bottling line.
[0005] The caps once filled with product are placed on the mouth of
the bottles with a closure machine which is part of the bottling
line, once the bottles are filled with water or another liquid for
human consumption during the bottling process, having thus the
finished product for market delivery.
[0006] Once the finished bottle is in the hands of the final user,
he/she will operate the mechanism to release the product, which
will be mixed with the liquid, then to be shaken and once they are
mixed will proceed to open the bottle, by twisting the cap to break
the security or tamper-proof band, which may not be in the body of
the cap, this way the liquid mix with the product is ready for
consumption.
[0007] Some caps in the state of the art have drawbacks with
reference to the cap of the present invention, as in the case of
the lacto tab cap , which is a cap used in the "Lacto Tab" product
of EMMI company, from Switzerland, said cap comprises 5 plastic
pieces and a bottle with special neck, the cap comprises a capsule
formed with two aluminum sheets, the powder or liquid product is
contained in this capsule, the powder can be a flavoring agent,
vitamin supplement or energy supplement, this capsule is placed on
the bottle neck and becomes adhered by an induction process,
thereafter the cap is placed, the cap is of special shape and
dimensions, in accordance with the bottle neck, the operation
thereof is as follows:
[0008] Cap is clockwise twisted, with the twist the security band
is broken and following the twist an internal stem is driven down,
the stem In the lower end having teeth or spikes that upon the
twist movement and vertically driving down, brakes the aluminum
capsule, allowing the product being spilled to the liquid held in
the bottle, wherein shaking of the container mixes the product with
the liquid, and the beverage is ready for drinking, the upper part
of the cap has a protective cover, which is withdrawn and the seal
is pulled allowing exit of the already mixed liquid, this latter
concept is used in the caps known as "sport cap" or sport,
"push-pull" as the push down of the seal closes again the exit duct
of the product.
[0009] This cap was used only in this product and was removed from
the market for lack of success, being of a high cost, comprising
five pieces, the aluminum cap, which must be previously filled with
the product and requires assembly of the cap and a special neck in
the bottle, it is further required a special closure or binding
machine to place the aluminum capsule and then the cap, all this
increasing the cost of the product.
[0010] Another cap in the state of the art, is the single piece
dispenser cap, comprising a product housing cylindrical section,
sealed with an aluminum film, closing the product housing section,
the internal part of the cap having a semicircular section, the
diameter of which is supported in the wall of the housing section,
in the center having a stem having a series of spikes in the lower
end, this part remains within the housing section.
[0011] The cap operates as follows: the powder or liquid
concentrated product is placed in the housing section, sealed with
the aluminum film, ready to install, in the filling line the cap is
placed on the bottles with standard neck as found in the
market.
[0012] Once the bottle is in the hands of the end consumer, he/she
then pushes downward the semicircular part located at the center of
the cap in the upper part of the bottle, with this action the stem
is shifted downwards and with the spikes located in the lower end
breaks the aluminum seal and allows passage of the product towards
the liquid mixing with it by the consumer agitating the bottle,
once the product is mixed with the liquid, the cap is removed, just
as the standard caps are removed, breaking the tamper-proof band,
thus the product becoming ready for consumption.
[0013] At times, the aluminum breaking or tearing is not big enough
to allow the complete release of the product, resulting in a low
content mixture, as the stem travel is limited by the semi-circle,
the injection mold cost is very high, being very complex the shape
of the spikes stem accruing to a high cost of the part or piece.
Also at times the semi-circular sector in which pressure is applied
to break the aluminum, returns to its original position without
breaking enough the aluminum seal, resulting in a low content
mixture of the product.
[0014] US2010/0044254 of Joseph Romeo, issued on Feb. 25, 2010,
describes a beverage container cap dispensing a flavoring material
into the liquid contained in the bottle includes a top element
adapted and constructed to hold a predetermined quantity of
flavoring material. A center element is connected to the top
element by a valve mechanism actuated to selectively dispense the
flavoring into the container; the valve mechanism is actuated by
rotation of the center element with respect to the base element.
Such cap comprises several parts and is a complex assembly.
[0015] Korean application KR20070060132 of Yorita Katsuhiko, issued
on Jun. 12, 2007, describes a cap in which powder tea to be blended
with the water held in the container. The cap is constructed to be
removed by a thread bottle mouth, having a lid in the upper part
twist opened and also a part being pressed in the vertical
direction combined with the twist motion. In the lower part of the
cap being pressed provides a cylindrical container receiving a
flavoring mixture and mechanically breaking the bottom of said
container, a pressing rod is integrally shaped with the lower
surface and projected upwards. To release the flavoring, the upper
lid is twisted and pushed down, this opens and breaks the weakened
section of the container and allows the mixture with the contained
water.
[0016] US2007/0102306 of Emery J. Lantos et al, issued on May 10,
2007 describes bottle cap or closure including a base member, a
sliding upper member coupled to the base, the upper member having a
dispenser member. A sliding crown member coupled with the upper
member and the base member and the upper member forms at least a
flavoring reservoir to be released when removing the tamper-proof
band and forcing the twisting downwards.
[0017] WO2006/123946 issued on Nov. 23, 2006, describes a container
closure including a chamber housing a flavoring substance separated
by a flexible membrane, the opening device of the membrane includes
a central support structure in the shape of a cylinder having
cutting teeth in the lower base, such cylinder acts by pressure
applied in the upper face of the closure formed by a flexible cap
is pressed with the thumb, by pressing the teeth breaks the
membrane or seal and releases the flavoring for mixing with the
water or beverage held in the bottle; but most often the teeth don
not totally break the membrane and the flavoring is trapped within
the container.
[0018] Mexican patent application MXPA06002700 corresponding to
U.S. Pat. No. 7,475,774, issued on Sep. 4, 2006, describes a
beverage container cap or closure, such cap is provided with a
compartment having a flavoring substance, such cylindrical lateral
compartment having an top wall and a frangible bottom wall,
provided with a cutting knife moveable relative to said side wall
and the bottom wall with the purpose to open the bottom wall and
release the flavoring substance within the container or bottle.
Again this cap operates by means of pressure of the top compartment
forcing the base to interact with the knife that breaks and allows
the release of the flavoring.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,270 to Sean P. Denny, issued Apr. 16,
2002, describes a two-portions threaded cap, one portion defines a
chamber containing a drink mix, such as tea bags, etc., a seal is
provided to prevent mixing of the beverage and water within the
bottle until desired. A plunger is pushed downwards driving the
flavoring to burst the seal and deploying the flavor in the water
contained in the bottle.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,449, to Warner F. Dubach, issued on Feb.
2, 1988, describes a threaded container closure in the bottle mouth
provided with a tamper-proof band, in this case the seal a easily
pierceable film, then to release the flavoring contents, the
tamper-proof band should be removed and twist the cap downwards so
that a peak element breaks the seal and releases the flavoring
material within the liquid held In the bottle; but this cap has the
risk that in placement thereof in the mouth of the bottle too much
pressure is applied then braking the seal releasing the flavor at
an unsuitable time, further it is a cap provided with a complicated
structure making the manufacturing process too expensive.
[0021] Mexican patent application MXPA2006005798 issued on Nov. 22,
2004 to Jung Min Lee describes a cap containing a flavoring, having
a main hollow body and a support tubing extending downwards from an
internal surface of the main hollow body, the support tubing having
a discharge portion and a seal element formed in the lower end
thereof, the moving element coupled to a fastening element. The
open lower end of the tubing is tightly coupled with the seal
element, to discharge the concentrate the tubing is raised and the
concentrate contained therein is discharged to the liquid held in
the bottle; but again it relates to a too complicated system that
should be twisted moving upwards, and be made from two threadable
bodies surely resulting in a too expensive production.
[0022] Mexican patent MX261034 issued on Oct. 10, 2008 to The
Procter & Gamble Company describes a system to incorporate
minerals in bottled drinking liquids, the system comprised a cap
provided with a powder deposit and an opener adapted to said cap
provided with a shaft shaped stem breaking the seal of the cap and
releasing the contents within the liquid of the container.
[0023] Mexican patent application MXPA2004010773 to Emilio Morin,
issued on Apr. 30, 2002, describes a capsule with a lower lid and a
tamper-proof strip removably inserted in the mouth of a bottle, the
top part of the lower cap is open with a neck coupled to a top part
also having a tamper-proof strip; a deposit comprised within the
top lid and having a breakable bottom, the top lid can be axially
moved downward in relation to the bottle neck; to break the seal it
is only needed to press the upper lid for the cutter to act and
release the concentrated substance to be added to the liquid
contained in the bottle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] An object of the present invention, is to provide a dosing
cap designed to house inside a product that may be a flavoring,
vitamins, energy supplements, medicine supplements, etc., that may
be in the shape of powder or pellets or liquid to be released with
opening of the cap.
[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
dosing cap that keeps separate the concentrate product from the
liquid contained in the bottle, extending the shelf life thereof,
making the mixture until the time of consumption.
[0026] Also an object of the present invention is to provide a
dosing cap that is made with two plastic pieces, a cap with a
cylindrical skirt and a rhombic shaped seal, are assembled once the
concentrated product has been deposited in the cap cylinder.
[0027] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
seal coupled that tightly closes the lower cylinder edge of the
cap, together making the tight in which the product to be preserved
is housed, is released by pressing the top part of the cap at the
center thereof, to drive a central stem uncoupling the seal, are
designed using the resilient properties of the plastic, the spring
prevents the seal to return, keeping it open and allowing passage
of the product to the liquid, to make efficient the mixture.
[0028] Still an object of the present invention is to provide a cap
tight-sealingly housing a concentrated product, the release thereof
is made by pressing with the finger the center of the top part of
the cap, until the effect of the spring and recovery of the
plastic, this part at the center of the cap is held downwards, with
this opening the seal retaining the product and allowing its
passage to the liquid, then the consumer proceeds to shake the
container to make the mixture of the product and liquid, the cap is
opened normally like the standard caps and the mix made is
consumed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0029] FIG. 1 is a top view of the cap of the present invention in
which is shown the top ring of the skirt and the flexible
center.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a lower view of the cap of the present invention
in which is shown the skirt, the central cylindrical body, the
flexible center, the central stem and the coupling pin.
[0031] FIG. 3, is a side-cut view of the cap of the present
invention in which is shown the skirt with the screw threads, the
tamper-proof band, the flexible ring, and the bends, as well as the
central stem, the coupling pin and the cylindrical central body
defining the tight or deposit of flavoring concentrate, medicine
and vitamins supplements.
[0032] FIG. 4, is a top or lower view of the seal of the present
invention showing each one of the vertex or endpoints of the
rhombic perimeter ring, the central disk, the coupling structure
with the vertical support walls and the groove thereof making them
flexible to ease the coupling.
[0033] FIG. 5, is a side cut view of the seal structure of the
present invention showing the rhombic perimeter ring, the external
rings of each one of the surfaces, the disk or horizontal support
and the vertical support structure defining the coupling entrance
of the central stem pin.
[0034] FIG. 6, is a side cut view of the cap and seal of the
present invention in which the seal closure position and the
closure position of the flexible center of the cap are shown.
[0035] FIG. 7, is a side cut view of the cap and seal in partial
aperture position in which the flexible center is depressed and the
seal in uncoupled position defining a perimeter aperture by which
the concentrate escapes.
[0036] FIG. 8, is a side cut view of the cap and seal in maximum
aperture position, in which the flexible center is located totally
depressed overcoming the first thread and by its geometry avoids it
to return to the original position by itself, defining a maximum
aperture between the edge of the cylindrical body and the seal.
[0037] FIG. 9, is a side view of the seal body having a barrel
shape and being symmetrical with respect to a top central surface,
the contact side surfaces are inclined and symmetrical such that
the seal can be coupled by the top or bottom faces.
[0038] FIG. 10, is a side view of the cap showing the skirt with
vertical grooves embossing, the tamper-proof band and a central
cylinder body.
[0039] FIG. 11, shows a side view of the seal cap coupling, the cap
is placed upward inverted position and the seal only couples at the
central stem pin.
[0040] FIG. 12, is a side cut view showing the detail of the
coupling between the seal and the inclined rim of the cylinder
body.
[0041] FIG. 13, is a side cut view showing the angle of the seal
contact surface and the angle of the central cylinder body rim, the
latter is higher than the angle of the seal contact surface.
[0042] FIG. 14, is a side cut view of the coupling detail between
the seal and the cylinder central body in which by pressure effect,
the angles match.
[0043] FIG. 15, is a side cut view of the cap and seal coupled and
containing the flavor concentrate in closure position.
[0044] FIG. 16, is a side cut view of the cap and seal in opening
position in which is released the concentrate contained within the
cylinder body.
[0045] FIG. 17, is a side view of the seal cap in closure position,
ready to be placed in the mouth of the respective bottle.
[0046] FIG. 18, is a side cut view of a state of the art cap
provided with a flexible center in the shape of a dome and a
central body with peaks at the bottom breaking a seal of a plastic
or metallic film, most often the breaking is defective or there is
no break.
[0047] FIG. 19, is a side cut view of a state of the art cap
provided with moving parts opening or closing according to the
twist of the cap, manufacture thereof requires a too expensive
mold.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] There is the condition that some beverages once prepared
have a short shelf life, they require special housing or cooling
conditions, or even the restriction of consumption in a very short
term, if this does not happen, they loose their intended
properties, reducing their presence in the market, these beverages
can be a flavoring, vitamin supplement, energy supplement, feed
supplement, a medicine product or others.
[0049] At times to extend the shelf life, it is necessary the use
in the product of additives, preservatives or other substances,
increasing the cost and modifying their properties, in other cases
also are modified the bottles in which the product is packed by the
used of UV rays protecting agents, pigments or other additives
helping to extend the shelf life of the product. The above produces
an increase in distribution costs, change in the properties of the
beverage and in most cases, not reaching the required shelf life,
with the consequent impact in the marketing of the product.
[0050] The concentrate release cap of the present invention is
designed to extend the shelf life of the product, keeping separate
the flavor concentrate product or other from the liquid until the
time of consumption, this way having the required shelf life and
keeping the properties of the product with the special features of
the beverage.
[0051] The concentrate release cap is designed to keep the
concentrate product separate from the liquid used as mixing agent,
contained in a bottle, such bottle may be glass, plastic or other
material, being a bottle with standard market features, with this
allowing to keep the properties of the product for a long shelf
term, mixing the concentrate product with the liquid until the time
of consumption, this way reducing or eliminating the use of
additives, preservatives or other substances in the product and
avoiding the used of UV rays protection bottles, including pigments
increasing the cost of the product not extending the shelf life for
periods as extended, with the use of the concentrate release cap
can be attained prolonged shelf life and keep the original
properties of the product.
[0052] The cap is made by a plastic injection process, using a
resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, plastic resins
commonly used to make these parts, being designed such that at the
time mold extraction, in the end of the bottom edge of the cylinder
body, remains a inclined or chamfered section pointing inside the
cylinder, working as a pressure element or contact area and
coupling with the seal this part during the filling process will be
pushed to the internal face of the cylinder remaining an angle to
ensure total contact area with the seal. Angle .beta. having the
seal area in the cap and formed with the cylinder wall thereof is
bigger than the angle .alpha. of the perimeter seal wall, with this
assuring full seal contact with the cap (.beta.>.alpha.) at
assembly moment due to the relation of angles that at the time of
coupling such angles match to provide a tight seal between both
parts. Once assembled the seal in the edge of the cylinder tight of
the cap, angle .beta. is forced to match angle .alpha., leaving a
tight contact area, pressuring between both seal surfaces and
cylinder wall tab, ensuring tight seal between both parts.
[0053] Seal also has a perimeter ring "a" to ensure that the seal
remains evenly seated on the edge of the external diameter of the
cylinder "c", additionally the seal in the bottom edge of the
inclined contact wall having a slight boss "b" to retain the edge
of the contact tab "d" of the cap in its right position to make the
tight seal.
[0054] The seal design is symmetric with a rhombic shape, allowing
placement in any of both faces being equal to each other.
[0055] The seal fixing to the cap is made on its center, in which
there is a cavity with a groove and an intermediate perimeter tab,
that upon opening allows passage of the cap's stem, which conical
shape makes easy the seal orientation with the stem, such stem
having a diameter groove allowing to reduce the diameter or
thickness to ease insertion in the seal, once the stem penetrates
the seal, parts recover their original shape leaving the seal
firmly held in the stem and in the seal area there is contact
between the seal and the cap uniformly and with pressure ensuring
its tightness .
[0056] Filling the cap, this operation is made in a filling machine
in which through the use of positioning means is placed the cap in
an inverted position, with the mouth upwards, the cap passes a
station in which it is bended to the inside of the cylinder the
section in which the ring will seat, this part of the cap, is
molded with an angle allowing extraction of the cap from the
plastic injection mold, then filling with a dosing device and
closing, insert the seal in the cap's stem, remaining the seal
diameter on the cylinder diameter and the contact seal areas,
ensuring the tightness in the seal cylinder.
[0057] This cap having as main features, tightly housing the
product, the release thereof made by pressing with the finger the
center of the top part of the cap, until by effect of the plastic
recovery and spring effect, such top central part of the cap is
kept in extended position downwards, driving the seal body to allow
opening thereof and exit of the contents within the tight or seal
of the cap and allowing its passage to the fluid, then the consumer
proceeds to shake the container to make the mix between the product
and the liquid of the beverage, opening the cap as made normally
with the standard caps and consume the mixture made.
[0058] FIG. 1, is a top view of the round cap (1) of the present
invention in which each one of the circumferences defining the
different zones and relevant elements thereof are shown; the larger
diameter circumference shows the skirt edge (4) limiting a top flat
ring (2) defined between the diameter (4) and the inside diameter
(5) limiting a cylinder central body extending downwards inside and
beyond the bottom limit of the skirt; the diameter (5) limits a
flexible center (3) defined by bend surfaces and a central ring to
form a flexible bellows type spring; the following marked diameter
in the external bend (6), followed by the internal bend (7) of the
flexible center, the bend (7) is the external limit of a flexible
central flat ring (8) concentric with the internal minimum diameter
(9) of the circumference defining a central stem extending
downwards beyond the edge of the limit of the cylinder central
body. One of the novelties of the cap of the present invention is
the bellows type flexible center that being pressed pushes the
central stem and beyond the limit of the cylinder central body. The
flexible central ring is located at a level further below with
respect to the top ring of the skirt, such pressed ring is
depressed to the level of the first screw thread.
[0059] FIG. 2, is a bottom view of the round cap (1), in which the
flexible central ring (8), the central stem (21), the cylinder
central body (5) and its thickness, the external skirt (4) and the
seal area of the cap (20). The central stem (21) having a diameter
groove (22) that allows having a pin with coupling flexible
diameter, such stem in a diameter defined by a central
circumference (9) concentric with the ring (8) limited by a bend
circumference (7), to the larger diameters is located the
circumference defining the bend (6) and then the thickness of the
cylinder body (5) defining the tight walls housing the flavor
concentrate containing cap together with the seal, to be released
at a time just before the consumption of the beverage contained in
the bottle; between the cylinder central body (5) and the thickness
(20) external skirt (4), is defined an empty space in which the
mouth of the bottle enters with its own thread above the neck.
[0060] FIG. 3, shows a side cut view of the cap (1) of the present
invention, the skirt (4) and the internal screw threads (30). Such
skirt attached a tamper-proof band (34); the cylinder central body
(5) defining the tight containing the concentrate and holding in
the top end the central ring (8) and the bends (6 and 7) of the
flexible center (3), it should be realized that such flexible
center is located at lower level with respect to the upper ring (2)
level of the skirt, such flexible center (3) comprising the bends
(6 and 7) and the central ring (8) having adhered in the internal
face a central stem (21), such stem having the lower end a lower
diameter coupling pin (31) and with a diameter groove (22) making
flexible such pin (31), the stem can be moved downwards due to the
bends (6 and 7) by pressing the flexible center (3) in a vertical
direction. The cylinder central body (5) extends beyond the limits
of the tamper-proof band, in the lower border (c) having a flexible
tab (d) inside bent working as a contact surface and coupling of a
barrel type round body with inclined walls acting as seal to
contain within the cylinder body the flavoring concentrate,
medicine, energy supplement, vitamin supplement or another
supplement containing the cap of the present invention.
[0061] FIG. 4, is a top or bottom view (50) of the seal of the
present invention, in which is shown the perimeter ring (a) working
as a coupling gasket or top surface for the edge of the central
cylinder body and located on the vertical flat surface of the seal
body; following the inclined surfaces towards the central diameters
showing corresponding external perimeter rings (b), a vertex is
formed beyond the inclined or ramp surfaces towards the central
diameters showing one each external perimeter rings (b), and
extends upwards and to the center another inclined surface ending
up to a disc or horizontal support (53) to form the diameter (59),
the disc (53) providing structural support to the seal and the
central cylinder structure (54) defining the entrance of the
central stem pin of the cap, such entrance (55) being flanked by an
inclined perimeter rim (56) operating as a pin retention bump. This
central structure (54) having a groove (42) providing flexibility
and it can be opened by coupling the pin to overcome the bump (56),
the same pin also having a central groove in turn allowing to
reduce the diameter to couple the seal by a click, once inside the
pin, the bumps or stops complement by matching horizontal surfaces
preventing uncoupling between the seal and the pin.
[0062] FIG. 5, is a side cut view of the barrel shaped seal
structure (50), with a rhombic shape perimeter ring (52) joined by
a disc or intermediate horizontal support (53), having in turn a
vertical wall central support (54) divided in top or lower
sections, the inside thereof defines the entrance (55) of the pin,
the inside of the vertical support (54) having an inclined wall rim
(56) acting as bump for the coupling pin in cooperation with the
rim thereof; the rhombic perimeter ring (52) and the horizontal
support (53), the vertical support (54) defines the internal spaces
(57) making the seal a light part and resistant due to the
described structural layout. The external side curves of the
rhombic perimeter ring (52) having adhered rings acting as contact
surface in the flexible tab of the end of the cylinder central
body, the top or bottom contact surface (58) having the perimeter
ring (b) and the middle surface or top surface (51) having adhered
the perimeter ring (a) and acting as a bump with the lower end of
the cylinder central body defining the tight containing the
concentrated surface.
[0063] FIG. 6, is a side cut view (60) of the cap and seal coupled
in locking position (61) of the seal (50) coupled to the stem (21)
and to the internal rim of the end of the cylinder body (5), the
coupling between the stem (21) and the seal (50) is made through
the pin (31) and the contact surface of the rhombic perimeter ring
(52); the cap further showing the skirt (4) which is an element
coupling to the mouth of the bottle by the screw threads (30) and
the tamper-proof band (34) being an indicator of tampering with the
opening of the bottle. In this figure, the seal is placed in
locking position with the bends in position (61) retracted and
keeping the stem (21) in the highest level.
[0064] FIG. 7, is a side cut view (70) of the semi-open seal
providing a partial opening (72) and allowing exit of the
concentrate housed within the cylinder body. In this position the
depressed flexible center (71) is not fully deployed, this making
the central stem (21) to uncouple the seal of the perimeter rim (d)
located in the end of the cylinder body; the seal having a ring
shaped contact surface in the shape of a rhombic perimeter ring
(52) symmetric to a horizontal plane and to a central axis. The
rhombic perimeter ring (52) having an internal structure comprising
an horizontal disk and a central hollow cylinder defining a
coupling opening with the pin of the central stem, the ring
structure allows coupling both sides top or bottom to ease assembly
of the complete cap with the seal.
[0065] FIG. 8, is a side cut view (80) of the seal completely open
providing maximum perimeter opening (82) as the central stem (21)
is completely shifted as the flexible center is being pressed to
the top (81) matching the lower edge of the first screw thread.
This position creates a maximum perimeter opening (82) because the
perimeter contact ring (52) is totally separated of the perimeter
rim of the cylinder body. This way avoiding traces of the
concentrated substance to remain within the cylindrical body of the
cap, because shaking the bottle makes a homogeneous mix and through
the opening (82) the liquid passes therethrough and even washes the
wall of the concentrate container, this not happening with the caps
of the state of the art.
[0066] FIG. 9, is a side view of the seal of the present invention,
showing an external surface thereof (90) in the shape of a barrel,
comprising two inclined smooth surface rings and a central ring
with vertical smooth surface; the inclined surfaces (58) are for
contact and still on the edge of each one having a flexible
material ring (b) acting a packing for coupling with the internal
rim of the cylinder body of the cap and this way having a tight
seal avoiding unintentional concentrate release. The intermediate
vertical ring (51) also having a coat (a) acting as bump with the
edge of the inclined rim of the cylinder body and not allowing the
seal to enter further inside the cylinder body and that at a
certain time it can be opened far beyond the cylinder body and also
breaking the flexible center of the of the top face of the cap. In
this figure it is shown that the contact surfaces (58) are
symmetric regarding the central top surface (51) and with it having
the facility in the assembly with the cap no search of suitable
coupling face is required.
[0067] FIG. 10, is a side view of the cap with the skirt (4) and
the tamper-proof seal (34) and the end of the cylinder body (5).
The skirt (4) having vertical lines (101) embossing acting as grip
surface to make the cap (100) spin. The seal of FIG. 9 and the cap
of FIG. 10 make the dosing cap of the present invention, to couple
thereof is located the cap in a support with the cylinder body open
upwards and the seal, within the cylinder body is filled with
concentrate and then the seal is pressed on the edge and within the
cylinder body.
[0068] FIG. 11, shows a cross-cut view of the seal coupling with
the pin of the central stem (21). The internal seal structure
forming a pair of top and bottom housings with and intermediate
ring formed by the bump rim (56) retaining the bump tab (112) of
the pin (31), which may pass through the ring due to the central
groove (22) and the seal groove (42), which open or close on
account of the pressure imposed. Then the central stem (21) in
upright position and showing the coupling pin (31) with its
inclined side walls over said pin is located the pressure seal and
the pin (31) covering any of the top or bottom housings (113), as
the case may be formed by the vertical walls (54) issuing from the
horizontal disc (53). Vertical walls (54) show a boss with
perimeter inclined walls forming the bump rim (56) defining the
entrance (55) of the coupling pin (31), also having a vertical
groove (42) allowing the walls (54) being opened under pressure and
allowing the entrance of the coupling pin (31) which becomes
trapped within the bump rim (56), thus between the tab (112) of the
pin and the rim (56) within the vertical walls (54) a bump is
formed preventing the deliberate displacement of both parts. The
coupling pin (31) also having a central groove (22) that under
pressure allows reducing the diameter and thus the bump rim (112)
to be able to locate it within the housing (113).
[0069] FIG. 12, is an amplified cut view (120) between the seal and
the cylinder body (5) in which the surfaces of the rhombic
perimeter ring (52) are coupled with the rim (d) of the cylinder
body (5) and in which the ring (b) of the border acts as
complementary bump to said rim, thus also the ring (a) acts as
complementary bump with the edge (c) of the cylinder body of the
cap. In such coupling the angle between the wall of the cylinder
body and the rim (d) is bigger than the angle between the vertical
wall and the inclined wall of the rhombic perimeter ring (52), this
creates a tight coupling between both parts preventing
unintentional release of the concentrated substance housed within
the walls of the cylinder body (5) of the cap or deposit
thereof.
[0070] FIG. 13, shows a cut view of the two parts of FIG. 12
separated in which is shown the angle (130) and the angle (131)
with a ratio in which (131) is bigger than (130); the angle (130)
formed by the contact surface of the rhombic perimeter ring (52)
and with the vertical wall thereof; the angle (131) formed between
the cylinder body (5) and the rim (d) and having as vertex the edge
(c) in such end it is coupled the seal perimeter ring (a). In the
coupling of both parts .alpha.=.beta. or (130)=(131) thus achieving
a tongue-in-groove type tight coupling.
[0071] FIG. 14, both components of FIG. 13 are coupled and the
pressure forced by the rhombic perimeter ring (52) on the rim (d)
forcing the opening thereof to be matched to .alpha. or which is
the same as having only one angle (130) between the internal wall
of the cylinder body (5) and the contact surface of the rhombic
perimeter ring (52), the edge (c) is located in the position in
which the seal perimeter ring (a) is placed in contact with the
same, this way the tight coupling is presented between the cap and
the seal keeping the concentrate within the cylinder body of the
cap and seal coupled to the same to form a tight seal, controlled
by the flexible center of the cap.
[0072] FIG. 15, shows a cross-cut view of the cap with the seal
coupled in the use position and between both containing the
concentrate (151). In this figure the flexible center is located in
retracted or closed position (61), the seal (90) coupled in
position in the end of the cylinder body (5) of the seal cap (150)
which in turn comprises the lateral skirt (4) and the tamper-proof
tape or strip (34) being a must-have. If the seal (90) is to be
removed from the closure position it is necessary to press the
flexible center of the cap in a vertical direction downwards to
release the concentrate (151) kept therein.
[0073] FIG. 16, shows a cross-cut view in which the flexible center
of the cap has been pressed down to an open position (81) making
the release of the concentrate (151) as the seal (90) is uncoupled
from the edge of the cylinder body (5) of the cap, as a consequence
that the stem (21) has driven it to exit from the closure
position.
[0074] Once released the concentrate (151) the bottle is shaken to
make a homogeneous mix of the beverage for consumption. The cap
still is held in the bottle through the screw threads in the
internal face of the skirt (4) and the tamper-proof band (34) has
not been removed, the mixing operation can be carried out still
without opening the cap.
[0075] FIG. 17, is a side view (170) of the seal cap in closed
position in which is shown the skirt (4) with the vertical lines
embossing followed by the tamper-proof band (34), the section of
the cylinder body (5) with the seal (90) located in the bottom edge
of the cylinder body (5). In this position, the seal (90) is
coupled, e.g., in closure position and only shows the top surface
and the bottom contact surface, as the other contact surface is
located within the wall of the skirt.
[0076] FIG. 18, is a side cut view of the dosing cap of the state
of the art with a flexible dome driving a cylinder body (184) with
teeth (185) on its bottom end; the side skirt (181) forms the
concentrate deposit or container (182) separate from the mouth of
the bottle by the metallic or plastic film forming the seal (186);
when pressed the flexible dome (183) drives the cylinder body (184)
and the teeth (185) breaking the seal (186) releasing the
concentrate, but in most of the cases the seal resists and only
allows small orifices that in the case of a powder concentrate is
not 100% released, and sometimes the seal is not even broken as the
pressure was not enough, lack of sharpness in the teeth or the
pressure operation was too fast and shallow and the seal remains
intact.
[0077] FIG. 19, is a side cut view of another dosing cap of the
state of the art comprising a cap with two compartments for
concentrate (191) and (192), both provided with a release mechanism
by means of a lever which is activated by twisting the cap. In this
case the cap is too complicated, contains loose parts that should
be tied thus increasing the production cost. Even though the cap in
this case works efficiently production thereof is too high and
unsuitable to subsist in the market. The cap comprises a skirt
(190), a base (195), two release levers (194) retaining the
contents (191) and (192) within the deposits (193) located inside
the skirt (190), the cap is locked at the mouth of the bottle by
the cylinder body (195).
* * * * *