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(11) | EP 2 216 262 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | MIXING LID FOR ISOTONIC DRINKS |
| (57) The invention relates to a mixing cap for isotonic drinks, which allows mixing the
ingredients of an isotonic solution in water housed in a container at the moment of
use, said cap being coupled on said container, comprising a mixing cap (1) which is
screwed to the mouth (4) of the container which includes an inner insulated deposit
(8) housing the isotonic composition which is sealed, and said mixing cap including
a liquid outlet nozzle (6) communicated with the inner body of the container and the
liquid housed therein, also comprising a mouthpiece cap (2) for closing the liquid
outlet nozzle (6) and a cutting ring (3) inserted into the mouth (4) of the container
which breaks the seal of the inner deposit (8) when the mixing cap (1) is used. |
Object of the Invention
[0001] As expressed in the title of the present specification, the invention relates to a mixing cap for isotonic drinks which provides several advantages and innovative features described in detail below to the function for which it is intended.
[0002] More specifically, the object of the invention consists of a screw cap for bottles, especially designed for mixing the (powder) ingredients of an isotonic solution or similar drink, in water for attaining it, being able to do so at the moment of use, and furthermore allowing being able to drink said water before operating the mechanism which allows the mixing.
Field of Application
[0003] The field of application of the present invention is comprised within the industry dedicated to the manufacture of screw caps.
Background of the Invention
[0004] Currently, and as a reference to the state of the art, it must be mentioned that even though many types of screw caps are known, the applicant is not aware of the existence of any cap having technical, structural and configuration features similar to those presented by the cap herein proposed, and the objective of which, compared to known caps, consists of enabling the mixing of the product right before it is consumed, thus preserving all its qualities, and which furthermore optionally allows drinking only the water housed in the bottle without said mixing occurring, being able to do so at a later time when so desired.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] Thus, the mixing cap for isotonic drinks proposed by the present invention is configured as an evident novelty within its field of application because, as a result of its creation, the aforementioned objectives are absolutely achieved in a fully satisfactory manner, which is possible as a result of the particular features of said cap which are suitably described in the final claims.
[0006] Specifically, the cap proposed by the invention is essentially configured from three complementary elements, consisting of a mixing cap or main cap, which incorporates a small inner deposit suitably sealed by means of a heat-sealing film, in the upper part of which it is provided with a nozzle to which another cap is coupled, and an inner cutting ring, intended for achieving the opening of the mentioned film in order to cause the mixing of the powder with the water housed in the bottle to which the cap has been applied.
[0007] It is important to point out that the main advantage of this new cap consists of the fact that, if desired, it is not necessary for the mixing to occur, being able to drink only the water, which will come out through the mentioned nozzle.
[0008] In order to achieve the mixing, it will only be necessary to slightly screw the mixing cap at the desired moment, such that the cap is more tightly fitted in the mouth of the bottle, thus achieving that the cutting ring provided therein perforates the heat-sealing film and the powder falls into the bottle and mixes with the water, which will advantageously allow consuming the drink recently mixed, entirely preserving all its properties and qualities.
[0009] The new mixing cap for isotonic drinks therefore represents an innovative structure having structural and constitutional features that have been unknown up until now for such purpose, which reasons, combined with its practical usefulness, give it the sufficient grounds for obtaining the exclusive right that is sought.
Description of the Drawings
[0010] To complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the mixing cap for isotonic drinks object of the invention, showing the elements of which it consists arranged in an exploded manner.
Figures 2-A and 2-B show respective perspective, side and lower views, respectively, of the mixing cap or main cap, in which its configuration and the parts of which it consists, as well as the arrangement thereof, can be clearly seen.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the mouthpiece cap, its integrating elements being shown in detail.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the cutting ring, in which the cutting tooth and the pull tab it incorporates for achieving the opening of the deposit of the main cap can be seen.
Figure 5 shows a detailed sectional view, according to a vertical section, of the nozzle provided in the mixing cap and of the mouthpiece cap covering it, the locking means of the latter being seen.
Figures 6 and 7 show respective vertical section views of the cap in its respective positions before and after the application of the screwing which causes the mixing of the powder.
Preferred Embodiment of the Invention
[0011] In view of the mentioned figures, and according to the numbers used, a preferred embodiment of the invention can be seen therein, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.
[0012] Thus, as can be seen in Figure 1, the invention is essentially configured from three complementary and independent elements, consisting of a mixing cap (1), a mouthpiece cap (2) and a cutting ring (3).
[0013] The mixing cap (1), which can more clearly be seen in Figures 2-A and 2-B, internally has the suitable threading for being coupled to the mouth (4) of the bottle for which it is intended and in which the water will be housed for drinking or mixing.
[0014] Said cap (1) furthermore has a fixing and opening ring (5) in its lower part, with a nozzle (6) in its upper part, provided with a dispenser (7), and with an inner deposit (8) which projects at the lower part thereof, which is intended for housing the powder which will allow, when mixed with the water, obtaining the isotonic drink.
[0015] This deposit (8) will be suitably sealed at its lower edge by means of a heat-sealing film (9) and will have a capacity that is proportional to the cap and suited to the amount of water housed in the bottle.
[0016] It is important to point out that the mentioned deposit (8) has a shape such that it only partially occupies the inside of the mixing cap (1), leaving the passage from inside the bottle to the nozzle (6) free, as can be seen in the aforementioned Figures 2-A and 2-B, in order to allow its use without performing the mixing.
[0017] Finally, the mixing cap (1) internally incorporates, in its upper part, a locking ring (10) which enables said use before performing said mixing, as will be explained below.
[0018] In turn, the mouthpiece cap (2), shown in Figure 3, is intended for closing the aforementioned nozzle (6), having a fixing ring (11) (suitably sealed by means of several fine points attaching it thereto), integrally attached to it by means of a hinge (12), and which will be fixed to the fitting groove (13), provided at the base of said nozzle (6), by means of the inner projections (14) it has for such purpose.
[0019] This mouthpiece cap (2) furthermore has an ergonomic side area (15) provided with ribs which facilitate its opening.
[0020] In Figure 4, it can be seen how the cutting ring (3), the third component of the cap of the invention, is formed by two collars joined to one another, an upper collar (16), in which it has a recess (17) suitable for fitting in an inner projection (18) provided at the mouth (4) of the bottle in order to allow its fixing (shown in Figure 1), since said ring (3) is inserted into said mouth, and another lower collar (19), of greater height, for providing it with consistency, internally traversed by a crosspiece in which a tooth (20) has been provided, intended for perforating the heat-sealing film (9) covering the deposit (8) of the mixing cap (1), and a semicircular tab (21) which pushes said film, causing its opening.
[0021] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, the previously described mouthpiece cap (2), intended for covering the nozzle (6), has respective concentric locking rings (22) and (23) arranged in its inner area which determine a groove (24) in which the upper end (25) of the mentioned nozzle (6) tightly fits, thus preventing particles of powder of the mixture (once mixed) from entering the intermediate area (26) existing between the mouthpiece cap (2) and the nozzle (6) that may get it dirty.
[0022] In turn, Figures 6 and 7 show how before activating the mechanism which causes the mixing, i.e., in a first state, the cap of the invention, as previously stated, allows its use without the powder housed in the deposit (8) mixing with the water of the bottle, passing through it and coming out through the nozzle (6), since said deposit is hermetically sealed.
[0023] This is possible because the mixing cap (1) incorporates the locking ring (10) preventing the exit of the liquid to the outside (Figure 6), because it covers or blocks the upper edge of the mouth (4) of the bottle.
[0024] To obtain the isotonic drink, i.e., to operate the mechanism and to cause the mixing of the powder with the water, the mixing cap (1) must be screwed on, which is possible because of the gap existing between the outer wall of the cap (1) and the previously mentioned locking ring (10), as well as the gap (27) existing between the outer fixing and opening ring (5) and the body of the cap (1), since said ring (5) is only attached to the body of the cap (1) by two or three fine points, such that when the cap (1) is further screwed on, the ring (5) is released, allowing it to be lowered.
[0025] Thus, said lowering of the cap (1) will cause the film (9) to break when it meets with the tooth (20) and the tab (21) provided in the cutting ring (3), as seen in Figure 7, since the deposit (8) in which said powder is located has the size suitable for such purpose, partially projecting below the level of the outer wall of the cap (1).
1. Mixing cap for isotonic drinks which is coupled on a container housing water and said
cap includes an isotonic composition or solution which can be dissolved in the water
housed in the container, comprising:
- a mixing cap (1) which is screwed on the mouth (4) of the container which includes an inner insulated deposit (8) housing the isotonic composition which is sealed, and said mixing cap including a liquid outlet nozzle (6) communicated with the inner body of the container and the liquid housed therein,
- a mouthpiece cap (2) for closing the liquid outlet nozzle (6),
- a cutting ring (3) inserted into the mouth (4) of the container which breaks the seal of the inner deposit (8) when the mixing cap (1) is used.
2. Mixing cap for isotonic drinks according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing cap (1) complementarily comprises a fixing and opening ring (5) in its
part closest to the body of the container.
3. Mixing cap for isotonic drinks according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner deposit is sealed with a heat-sealing film (9).
4. Mixing cap for isotonic drinks according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting ring (3) comprises a tooth (20) opposite the heat-sealing film (9) which
contacts same, breaking it, when both bodies are close to one another, occupying the
same spatial position, facilitating the exit of the housed isotonic composition from
the inner deposit (8).
5. Mixing cap for isotonic drinks, according to claim 1, characterized in that the mouthpiece cap (2) comprises a fixing ring (11) integrally attached to it by
means of a hinge (12); wherein said ring (11) is fixed to the fitting groove (13),
provided at the base of the nozzle (6), by means of the inner projections (14) it
has for such purpose; and in that said mouthpiece cap (2) furthermore comprises an ergonomic side area (15) provided
with ribs which facilitate its opening.
6. Mixing cap for isotonic drinks according to claims 1 and 5, characterized by the fact that the mouthpiece cap (2) comprises respective concentric locking rings
(22) and (23) arranged in its inner area which determine a groove (24) in which the
upper end (25) of the mentioned nozzle (6) tightly fits, preventing particles of powder
of the mixture from entering the intermediate area (26) existing between the mouthpiece
cap (2) and the nozzle (6).
7. Mixing cap for isotonic drinks according to the previous claims, characterized in that the cutting ring (3) is formed by two collars joined to one another, an upper collar
(16), in which it has a recess (17) suitable for fitting in an inner projection (18)
provided at the mouth (4) of the bottle in order to allow its fixing thereto, and
another lower collar (19), of greater height, for providing it with consistency, internally
traversed by a crosspiece in which the tooth (20) and the tab (21) are located for
the opening of the heat-sealing film (9).
8. Mixing cap for isotonic drinks according to the previous claims, characterized in that in its position before being operated, the locking ring (10), provided inside the
mixing cap (1) covers the edge of the mouth (4) of the bottle blocking the exit of
water and therefore allowing being able to drink only the water before said activation.
9. Mixing cap for isotonic drinks according to claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that between the fixing and opening ring (5) provided in the lower part
in the mixing cap (1) and the outer wall of the latter there is a gap (27), and in
that this ring (5) and the body of the cap (1) are only attached by two or three fine
points, which configuration allows operating the mechanism, i.e., allows further screwing
the cap (1) on the mouth (4) of the bottle, thereby causing the film (9) closing the
deposit (8) provided inside the mixing cap (1) to break.