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(11) | EP 1 693 310 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Dosing cap |
| (57) Dosing cap for bottles or flasks among caps provided, in addition to a structure
that seals the container, with a mechanism for dosing the liquid contained in it,
which allow the liquid to flow out from the container in a laminar flow regime that
prevents splashing; the dosing cap of the invention includes a double seal. |
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a dosing cap for bottles or flasks from among caps that, in addition to a structure for closing the container, have a mechanism for dosing the liquid contained in it.
[0002] The special configuration of the cap, constituted by two parts, allows liquid to flow out of the container in a laminar flow regime that prevents splashing.
[0003] The dosing cap of the invention includes a double seal that allows revealing that it is open, so that after the cap has been opened it is not possible to conceal this fact, thereby preventing risks of tampering with the liquid contained in the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The dosing cap of the present invention is included among dosing caps for use in large flasks or containers. The constitution of these caps simplifies the pouring of the water out of these heavy containers, which are difficult to handle.
[0005] There are other solutions for dosing a liquid in large containers, such as that described in European Patent with publication number 1473242, which protects a carafe tap-stopper for flasks, of those incorporating a pourer piece, a body that embraces it and a lid, the assembly having means to make the liquid flow out of the bottle in laminar regime, thereby preventing splashing. These means are embodied as surfaces that come in contact with the liquid before it exits, making the liquid flow through them in laminar regime.
[0006] The dosing cap of the present invention allows water to flow out when the container is horizontal regardless of which face it is resting on, as it has four possible outlet channels, which facilitates pouring without having to move the container.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The dosing stopper of the invention is constituted by two parts: a fixed external piece and a mobile internal piece.
[0008] The fixed external piece is placed on the container neck and embraces the mobile internal piece.
[0009] This external piece is provided with two unbreakable seals, so that it is not possible to tamper the liquid in the container without leaving an obvious sign.
[0010] The lower seal ensures that the dosing cap assembly adjusts snugly to the flask, while the upper seal prevents opening the container. Both seals are shown as bands joined to the assembly at their bottom part by easily detachable weakened lines.
[0011] The mobile internal piece has an upper circular part with a gripping wall that allows handling the dosing cap. Under this sealing area are the liquid outlet channels. The central part of the piece is threaded to allow its motion on the external piece. The threaded area ends at a grooved flange finished at a widening that acts as a stop.
[0012] The internal piece, which is the mobile part, is inserted in the bottle and perfectly coupled to the external piece.
[0013] When the bottle is closed and sealed the internal piece can be rotated from the wall provide on its top part, so that by turning this lid to open the container the breakable lines of the upper seal are broken and the cap can be opened.
[0014] This piece moves along the vertical axis of the container, its threaded area moving along grooves made in the external piece.
[0015] To move the internal piece and open or close the dosing cap, thereby allowing or preventing passage of water, the cap is held from its upper wall and turned in the corresponding sense.
[0017] This internal piece acts as pourer of the liquid in the container, as well as closing the container. The internal piece has four possible outlet channels for the liquid.
[0018] The fact that the liquid can flow out of any of the four channels means that it is not important on which side the container is inclined when its contents will be poured, as when the cap is opened the water will always find an outlet channel.
[0019] In addition, this multiplicity of channels prevents the water from flowing out in spurts by letting air into the bottle at the same time the liquid flows out, balancing the pressure in the inside and outside of the container and eliminating splashing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The present descriptive memory is completed by a set of drawings that illustrate the preferred embodiment and are in no way meant to limit the invention.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the internal piece of the faucet cap of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the external piece of the dosing cap of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a cross section of the dosing cap in its closed position.
Figure 4 shows an elevation view of the bottom part of the dosing cap assembly.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The dosing cap of the invention is constituted by two parts: the internal piece (1) meant to seal and pour the liquid in the container; and the external piece (2) that embraces the former.
[0022] To open the dosing cap of the invention the internal piece (1) must be turned by gripping the wall (1.1) provided on its upper circular part.
[0024] When this piece (1) is turned the upper seal (2.1) included in the external piece (2) is detached from the assembly as the weakened lines break, thereby allowing to remove the upper seal (2.1) easily.
[0025] This upper seal (2.1) can also be removed by pulling from its protruding end. After this seal (2.1) is removed the internal piece (1) is free to move in order to open or close the container.
[0026] The threaded part (1.2) of the internal piece slides on complementary grooves (2.2) that allow the internal piece (1.1) to turn on the external piece (2) in order to open or close the dosing cap of the invention.
[0027] The internal piece is provided on its bottom with barb-shaped ends (1.3) that do not allow the internal piece (1) from moving entirely out of the container.
1. Dosing cap from among those provided with an external piece that rests on the neck
of the container and embraces a mobile internal piece used to pour the water and seal
the container, characterised in that the internal piece is provided on its upper circular part with a gripping wall for
handling the dosing cap, under this sealing area are the liquid outlet channels, the
central part of the piece is threaded and ends at a grooved flange which ends at a
widening, this part moving along the vertical axis of the container with its grooved
area moving on grooves provided on the external part.
2. Dosing cap according to claim 1, characterised in that the external piece has two unbreakable seals that are shown by bands joined to the
assembly by weakened lines at its bottom part.
3. Dosing cap according to claim 1, characterised in that the end widening of the internal piece is barb-shaped.
4. Dosing cap according to claim 1, characterised in that it has four liquid outlet channels.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 86(2) EPC.
1. Dosing cap comprising:
- A fixed external piece (2) fixed to a container,
- A mobile internal piece (1) embraced by the external piece (2).
Wherein both the mobile internal piece (1) and the fixed external piece (2) have a
thread for allowing its rotation and the internal piece (1) is provided with on its
bottom with barb-shaped ends (1.3)
- It is designed for being used in a container provided with a neck.
- The fixed external piece (2) is provided with two unbreakable seals, a lower one which adjust snugly to the neck of a flask and an upper seal (2.1) detachable by the turning of the internal piece (1) and joined through weakened lines to the lower part.
- The barb-shaped ends (1.3) of the internal piece (1) are fixed to the container.
- The internal piece is provided with at least two channels (1.4)
- The internal piece is provided on its upper circular part with a gripping wall (1.1) for turning the dosing cap, and breaking the weakened lines.