MIXING CAP FOR RECEPTACLES, MIXING KIT AND REFILLABLE CONTAINER

The object of the present invention is a mixing cap, a mixing kit and a container comprising the mixing kit.

The present invention is framed in the food industry and in particular in the beverage sector.

The consumption of beverages packaged in disposable containers is known. In particular, the consumption of beverages packaged in disposable containers made of polymeric material, such as plastic bottles, is known.

At the end of their use, these receptacles become mostly non-recycled waste, causing enormous environmental damage from pollution.

In order to limit the use of disposable containers, the use of reusable containers which are cyclically filled with drinking water and/or generic beverages is known.

In particular, in the field relating to the present invention, the use of reusable containers which are cyclically filled with water to which at least one edible soluble substance is added in order to improve the properties of the water, supplement it with particular food supplements and/or simply vary its flavour and organoleptic properties is known.

Such soluble substances can be fluid, loose or solid in nature.

For this purpose, the sale of packages is known, for example containing a certain edible soluble substance to be added to water.

Such packages can be sold in multi-use format or in disposable format, such as disposable pre-dosed sachets.

The solutions regarding the use of multi-use packages are suitable for domestic consumption, as they are generally uncomfortable to transport and use outside the home.

Likewise, the solutions regarding the use of disposable packages, although easily transportable, have structural, functional and economic/productive disadvantages which make the use thereof not without problems.

Firstly, in practice, the use of such disposable packages is cumbersome. In fact, it will be necessary to open the sachets and pour the contents inside the receptacle with the possibility of dirtying oneself or the external surface of the receptacle and with the possibility of dispersing part of the contents of the package itself.

Furthermore, once the package is used, the inconvenience of having to dispose of it immediately remains and, unless in the vicinity of a waste container, it must be kept for the necessary time.

In such a context, the technical task of the present invention is therefore to provide a mixing cap, a mixing kit and a container comprising the mixing cap which do not have the same drawbacks inherent in the currently known art.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mixing cap, a mixing kit and a container comprising the mixing kit which are capable of being simple and practical to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mixing cap, a mixing kit and a container comprising the mixing kit which are easily transportable.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mixing cap, a mixing kit and a container comprising the mixing kit which are capable of reducing pollution.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mixing cap, a mixing kit and a container comprising the mixing kit which are capable of adapting to different types of receptacles and/or beverages, as well as being capable of being economic in terms of production, purchase and maintenance.

The specified technical task and the specified object are fully achieved by a mixing cap, a mixing kit and a container comprising the mixing kit object of the present invention, as detailed in the contents of the present disclosure and/or the claims below.

In particular, the present invention provides a mixing cap for receptacles, such as bottles or flasks, refillable with pre-dosed disposable pods and/or capsules (which, if necessary, can also be "refillable") of an edible soluble substance: thanks to this combination of structural features, the mixing cap can be capable of providing drinking water (thanks to the presence of halogens in the pods and/or capsules, for example) or any other beverage. The mixing cap comprises a main body.

The main body is constrainable to the neck of a receptacle so as to occlude the opening of the receptacle.

According to an example, the main body is at least partially made of metal material.

According to a further example, the main body is at least partially made of polymeric material.

The main body has an internal chamber for the containment of a pod and/or capsule. The internal chamber, in use, is in fluid communication with a containment volume defined by the receptacle.

According to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the containment body can comprise a first component and a second component.

Preferably, the first component defines a first half-volume of the internal chamber and has a threaded cylindrical portion which can be screwed onto the neck of the receptacle.

Alternatively, the first component defines a containment volume entirely defining the internal chamber of the main body.

Preferably, the threaded cylindrical portion has standardized dimensions and shape, so that a user can apply and use the mixing cap on a plurality of receptacles.

According to an example, the threaded cylindrical portion can have external threads. Such an embodiment is suitable for the application of the mixing cap to receptacles, such as flasks, which have a neck with a thread made on their internal surface. According to a further example, the threaded cylindrical portion can have internal threads. Such an embodiment is suitable for the application of the mixing cap to receptacles, such as bottles, which have a neck with a thread made on their external surface.

The threaded cylindrical portion also defines an internal conduit which, in use, puts the internal chamber in fluid communication with the containment volume of the receptacle.

The first component further defines a support portion delimiting the lower part of the internal chamber and configured to intercept the pod or capsule.

In other words, the support portion defines a support seat of the pod or capsule. Moreover, the support portion prevents a movement of the pod or capsule during the breaking step of the pod or capsule.

Said support portion can have any shape as long as it supports, in use, the pod or capsule and allows the passage of the soluble substance from the internal chamber to the containment volume of the receptacle.

Preferably, moreover, the support portion can have respective piercing elements oriented towards a central portion of the internal chamber and configured to determine a breaking of the pod or capsule.

Advantageously, thanks to the piercing elements which facilitate the breakage of the pod or capsule, the user must use less force on the pod or capsule to determine its breakage.

The second component is constrained or constrainable above the first component.

Preferably, the second component defines a second half-volume of the internal chamber which, together with the first half-volume, defines the internal chamber.

Alternatively, the second component does not define a second half-volume of the internal chamber but merely delimits it at the top.

The first component and the second component are mutually movable so as to define an opening configuration of the mixing cap, in which it is possible to insert or remove the pod or capsule into/from the internal chamber, and a closing configuration of the mixing cap in which the internal chamber is hermetically closed to retain the pod or capsule.

Preferably, but not limitedly, the first component and the second component comprise mutual reversible fixing means so as to make the closing configuration of the mixing cap stable.

According to an example, the second component is hinged to the first component so as to be tilted with respect to the first component between an opening position, in which the second component together with the first component defines the opening configuration of the mixing cap, and a closing position, in which the second component together with the first component defines the closing configuration of the mixing cap.

According to a further example, the first and the second component have respective mutually shaped threads for a reversible coupling. In other words, the first component and the second component can be reversibly coupled by screwing.

The mixing cap can comprise a presser element.

The main body is connected or connectable to the presser element, which is therefore pressable by the user.

According to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the presser element is constrained above the main body and has a pressing surface facing the internal chamber of the main body.

Alternatively, the presser element can be implemented in other manners.

For example, according to an alternative embodiment, the presser element can consist of a tool which can be manipulated by the user himself (and such tool can be substantially released from the cap object of the present invention).

According to a further alternative embodiment, the presser element can consist of the fingers or other anatomical extension of the user (which can then split/open/pierce the pod or capsule directly by hand). In other words, the mixing cap does not structurally comprise a presser element but the presser element is defined by an anatomical extension of the user.

Regardless of whether the presser element is connected or connectable to the main body, it can be made of different materials, as long as they fulfil the functional purpose.

According to an example, the presser element is at least partially made of metal material.

According to a further example, the presser element is at least partially made of polymeric material.

Preferably, the presser element is at least partially made of the same material as the main body.

Furthermore, regardless of whether the presser element is connected or connectable to the main body, the presser element has a shape and dimensions such as to be pressable by a user so that the pressing surface at least partially occupies the internal chamber, causing a breaking of the pod or capsule and a passage of the soluble substance in the containment volume of the receptacle.

According to an example, the presser element is slidingly constrained to the main body so as to be movable in translation with respect to the main body between a disengaged position and an operating position in which the pressing surface at least partially occupies the internal chamber.

In other words, at a functional level, the user exerts a force on the presser element which penetrates at least partially inside the main body, and in particular inside the internal chamber. Accordingly, the pressing surface intercepts the pod or capsule and transfers the force applied by the user to the presser element thereto, causing the pod or capsule to break.

Advantageously, the mixing cap ensures a simple and practical use. In fact, the user can pre-load the pod or capsule inside the internal chamber and subsequently operate, as needed, the mixing cap so as to quickly and easily add the chosen edible soluble substance to the water contained in the receptacle. Furthermore, the user, once the mixing cap has been activated and the edible soluble substance has been added to the water, does not need to dispose of the pod or capsule or carry it with him until a waste container is found, since the used pod or capsule can be comfortably left inside the internal chamber. Advantageously, moreover, as will be further explained in the continuation of the present disclosure, if the pod or capsule is of the soluble type (e.g., made of softgels), it is not even necessary to dispose of the pod or capsule itself since it will be dissolved together with the substance inside the beverage.

According to a further aspect, the pressing surface can have respective piercing elements oriented towards a central portion of the internal chamber and configured to cause a breaking of the pod or capsule.

Advantageously, thanks to the piercing elements which facilitate the breakage of the pod or capsule, the user must use less force on the presser element.

According to a further aspect, the pressing surface of the presser element can be shaped so as to optimize the action of the pressing surface itself on the pod or capsule.

According to an example, the pressing surface can have a tapered shape with bevelled edges.

According to a further aspect, the presser element can have a substantially cylindrical shape.

According to alternative embodiments, the presser element can have a rectangular or square-base parallelepiped shape.

In the preferred, exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiment, the presser element is slidably constrained to the second component of the main body.

Preferably but not exclusively, furthermore, the presser element can be coaxial to a screwing axis of the mixing cap at least in the closing configuration of the mixing cap.

Advantageously, such a technical feature ensures the ease of actuation of the presser element. Advantageously, moreover, such a feature ensures a better aesthetic appearance. According to a further aspect, the mixing cap can comprise sealing elements interposed between the presser element and the main body. Advantageously, such a feature ensures that the beverage does not exit from the mixing cap.

In the preferred embodiment, the sealing elements are operatively arranged between the presser element and the second component.

According to a further aspect, the mixing cap can comprise elastic elements configured to promote a movement of the mixing element from the operating position to the disengaged position.

According to a further aspect, the mixing cap can comprise a filtering element operatively arranged between the internal chamber and the containment volume of the receptacle. The filtering element is configured to obstruct a passage of solid bodies from the internal chamber to the containment volume of the receptacle.

In the preferred embodiment, the filtering element is arranged in a lower end of the first component, preferably in a lower end of the threaded cylindrical portion.

According to a further aspect, the mixing cap can further have a dispensing spout. Advantageously, such a feature allows the mixing cap to be used actively. In other words, in order to drink the contents of the receptacle, it is not necessary to remove the mixing cap but it is possible to drink through the mixing cap itself.

According to an example, the dispensing spout can be obtained in the first component. In such an example, the filtering element, if present, is preferably arranged between the internal chamber and the dispensing spout.

According to a further aspect, the mixing cap can comprise an electromechanical assembly configured for the automated movement of the presser element.

In a preferred embodiment, the electromechanical assembly comprises an electric motor, an electric motor supply battery, a mechanism connected to the electric motor and the presser element and configured for moving the presser element from at least the disengaged position to the operating position, and an interface device, preferably a button, for actuating the electromechanical assembly.

Preferably, moreover, the electromechanical assembly can comprise a control unit suitable for the wireless transmission of data, operating for example by radio signal, and configured to be connected to smart devices, such as smartphones and smartwatches, so as to be able to operate the mixing cap by means of such smart devices.

Advantageously, the operation of the mixing cap can thereby also be controlled remotely. Advantageously, moreover, by means of such technical features, the operation of the mixing cap can be set at a certain time.

Preferably, moreover, the mixing cap can be provided with optoelectronic and/or acoustic devices, connected to the control unit and configured to provide the user with information regarding an operating state of the mixing cap or more generally, information regarding the quality of the water which passes through the mixing cap itself.

The specified technical task and the specified object are also fully achieved by a mixing kit comprising said mixing cap and a plurality of predosed disposable pods or capsules of an edible soluble substance.

The pods or capsules contain an edible soluble substance.

According to an example, the pods or capsules can contain a solution.

According to an example, the pods or capsules can contain a concentrate.

According to an example, the pods or capsules can contain a syrup.

According to an example, the pods or capsules can contain a food supplement.

According to an example, the pods or capsules can contain halogens to make water drinkable.

According to a further aspect, the pods or capsules can be made of recyclable or biodegradable material. According to an example, the pods or capsules are made so as to be soluble. Preferably, such pods or capsules are made by softgel technology.

The technical task specified and the object specified are also fully achieved by a refillable container comprising a receptacle and said mixing kit.

According to an example, the receptacle can be a bottle, preferably a glass bottle.

According to a further example, the receptacle can be a flask.

According to an aspect, the receptacle can have a containment volume having a capacity between 10 cl and 200 cl.

Preferably, the receptacle has a containment volume having a capacity between 50 cl and 100 cl.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a mixing cap, a mixing kit and a container comprising the mixing kit.

Such a description will be set out hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings given only for illustrative and, therefore, nonlimiting purpose, in which:

- figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment (as an example but not limited to) of a mixing cap in accordance with the present invention;

- figures 2A-2D show respective schematic views of a sequence of use of a mixing kit in accordance with the present invention;

- figures 3A-3C show respective schematic views of a further sequence of use of the mixing kit;

- figure 4 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment (as an example but not limited to) of a mixing cap in accordance with the present invention. With reference to the accompanying drawings, "100" indicates a mixing cap for receptacles 200, such as bottles or flasks, refillable with disposable pre-dosed pods and/or capsules "C" of an edible soluble substance. Figures 1 , 2A-2D, 3A-3C show a preferred embodiment, exemplary and therefore not limiting, of the mixing cap 100.

In such an embodiment, the mixing cap 100 comprises a main body 101 and a presser element 102.

The main body 101 is constrainable to the neck 201 of a receptacle 200 so as to occlude the opening of the receptacle 200.

The main body 101 has an internal chamber "V1" for the containment of a pod and/or a capsule "C".

The internal chamber "V1", in use, is in fluid communication with a containment volume "V2" defined by the receptacle 200.

The main body 101 comprises a first component 103 and a second component 104.

The first component 103 defines a first half-volume of the internal chamber “V1” and has a threaded cylindrical portion 105 screwable to the neck 201 of the receptacle 200.

The threaded cylindrical portion 105 also defines an internal conduit 106 which, in use, puts the internal chamber "V1" in fluid communication with the containment volume "V2" of the receptacle 200.

The first component 103 also defines a support portion 107 delimiting a lower part of the internal chamber "V1" and configured to intercept the pod or capsule "C".

The support portion 107 has respective piercing elements 107a oriented towards a central portion of the internal chamber “V1” and configured to determine a breaking of the pod or capsule “C”.

The support portion 107 has further piercing elements 107a facing the threaded cylindrical portion 105.

The second component 104 is constrained or constrainable above the first component 103.

The second component 104 defines a second half-volume of the internal chamber "V1" which, together with the first half-volume, defines the internal chamber "V1". The first component 103 and the second component 104 are mutually movable so as to define an opening configuration of the mixing cap 100, in which it is possible to insert or remove the pod and/or capsule "C" into/from the internal chamber "V1", and a closing configuration of the mixing cap 100 in which the internal chamber V1 is hermetically closed to retain the pod or capsule "C".

Preferably but not exclusively, the second component 104 is hinged to the first component 103 so as to be tilted with respect to the first component 103 between an opening position, in which the second component 104 together with the first component 103 defines the opening configuration of the mixing cap 100, and a closing position, in which the second component 104 together with the first component 103 defines the closing configuration of the mixing cap 100.

Figures 2A-2D show an example of use of the mixing cap 100.

In figure 2A the mixing cap 100 is in the closing configuration while the internal chamber "V1" is empty.

In figure 2B the mixing cap 100 is switched to the opening configuration.

In figure 2C the mixing cap 100 is loaded with a pod or capsule "C".

In figure 2D the mixing cap 100 is again switched to the closing configuration with the internal chamber "V1" containing a pod or capsule "C".

Preferably, the first component 103 and the second component 104 comprise mutual reversible fixing means 109.

The presser element 102 is constrained above the main body 101 , and in particular the second component 104, and has a pressing surface 102a facing the internal chamber "V1".

The presser element 102 is pressable by a user so that the pressing surface 102a at least partially occupies the internal chamber "V1" causing a breaking of the pod or capsule "C" and a passage of the soluble substance into the containment volume "V2" of the receptacle 200.

Preferably, the presser element 102 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is slidingly constrained to the second component 104 so as to be movable in translation with respect to the second component 104.

In particular, the presser element is movable in translation with respect to the second component between a disengaged position and an operating position in which the pressing surface 102a at least partially occupies the internal chamber "V1".

In other words, at a functional level, the user exerts a force on the presser element 102 which at least partially penetrates inside the main body 101 , and in particular inside the internal chamber "V1". As a result, the pressing surface 102a intercepts the pod or capsule “C” and transfers the force applied by the user on the presser element 102 thereto, causing the pod or capsule “C” itself to break.

Figures 3A-3C show a sequence of use of the mixing cap 100.

In figure 3A the pod or capsule "C" is housed inside the internal chamber "V1" while the presser element is in the disengaged position.

In figure 3B, the presser element 102 is pressed so as to move into the operating position which causes the pod or capsule "C" to break. The edible soluble substance flows from the internal chamber "V1" to the containment volume "V2" of the receptacle 200.

In figure 3C, the presser element is again in the disengaged position while the edible soluble substance flows entirely through the internal conduit 106.

Preferably, the mixing cap 100 comprises sealing elements between the presser element 102 and the second component 104, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The mixing cap 100 comprises elastic elements, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, configured to promote a movement of the presser element 102 from the operating position to the disengaged position.

Preferably but not exclusively, the presser element 102 is coaxial to a screwing axis "X" of the mixing cap 100 at least in the closing configuration of the mixing cap 100.

The mixing cap comprises a filtering element 108 operatively arranged between the internal chamber "V1" and the containment volume "V2" of the receptacle 200.

The filtering element 108 is configured to obstruct a passage of solid bodies from the internal chamber “V1” to the containment volume “V2” of the receptacle 200.

The filtering element 108 is preferably arranged at a lower end of the threaded cylindrical portion 105.

In an embodiment not illustrated in the drawings, the mixing cap 100 has a dispensing spout, operatively arranged on the main body 101 , and in particular on the first component 103.

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the mixing cap 100.

In such an embodiment, the mixing cap 100 comprises a main body 101 and a presser element 102.

The main body 101 is constrainable to the neck 201 of a receptacle 200 so as to occlude the opening of the receptacle 200.

The main body 101 has an internal chamber "V1" for the containment of a pod and/or a capsule "C".

The internal chamber "V1", in use, is in fluid communication with a containment volume "V2" defined by the receptacle 200.

The main body 101 comprises a first component 103 and a second component 104.

The first component 103 defines a first half-volume of the internal chamber “V1” substantially equivalent to the internal chamber “V1” itself.

The first component 103 has a threaded cylindrical portion 105 screwable to the neck 201 of the receptacle 200.

The threaded cylindrical portion 105 also defines an internal conduit 106 which, in use, puts the internal chamber "V1" in fluid communication with the containment volume "V2" of the receptacle 200.

The first component 103 also defines a support portion 107 delimiting a lower part of the internal chamber "V1" and configured to intercept the pod or capsule "C".

The support portion 107 has a piercing element 107a oriented towards a central portion of the internal chamber “V1” and configured to determine a breaking of the pod or capsule “C”.

The second component 104 is constrained or constrainable above the first component 103.

In such an embodiment, the second component is made substantially as a lid of the internal chamber "V1".

The first component 103 and the second component 104 are mutually movable so as to define an opening configuration of the mixing cap 100, as shown in figure 4, in which it is possible to insert or extract the pod and/or capsule "C" into/from the internal chamber "V1", and a closing configuration of the mixing cap 100 in which the internal chamber V1 is hermetically closed to retain the pod or capsule "C".

In particular, the second component 104 is hinged to the first component 103 so as to be tilted with respect to the first component 103 between an opening position, in which the second component 104 together with the first component 103 defines the opening configuration of the mixing cap 100, and a closing position, in which the second component 104 together with the first component 103 defines the closing configuration of the mixing cap 100.

Preferably, the first component 103 and the second component 104 comprise mutual reversible fixing means 109.

In such an embodiment, the presser element 102 is not present.

The mixing cap comprises a filtering element 108 operatively arranged between the internal chamber "V1" and the containment volume "V2" of the receptacle 200.

The filtering element 108 is configured to obstruct a passage of solid bodies from the internal chamber “V1” to the containment volume “V2” of the receptacle 200. The filtering element 108 is preferably arranged at a lower end of the threaded cylindrical portion 105.

In such an embodiment, at a functional level, the user inserts the pod or capsule "C" when the mixing cap 100 is in the opening configuration.

Once the pod or capsule “C” has been inserted into the internal chamber “V1” and is supported on the support portion 107, the user, by means of a presser element not connected to the main body 101 , such as a tool which can be manipulated by the user (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings), or by the aid of a finger or other anatomical extension, exerts a force directly on the pod or capsule “C” so as to determine the breaking. Subsequently, the user can drink the beverage or move the second component 104 to determine the closing of the internal chamber "V1" so as to switch the mixing cap 100 into the closing configuration.

The present invention further relates to a mixing kit comprising the mixing cap 100 and a plurality of pre-dosed disposable pods or capsules “C” of an edible soluble substance.

The pods or capsules "C" contain an edible soluble substance selectable from one or more of solutions, concentrates, syrups, food supplements and/or halogens to make water drinkable.

Preferably, the pods or capsules "C" are made of recyclable or biodegradable material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pods or capsules are made with softgel technology.

Further, the present invention relates to a refillable container 1 comprising a receptacle 200, preferably a bottle or a flask, and the aforesaid mixing kit.

In other words, the container 1 comprises a receptacle 200, a mixing cap 100 and a plurality of pods or capsules "C".

According to an aspect, the receptacle 200 has a containment volume "V2" having a capacity between 10 cl and 200 cl.

Preferably, the receptacle 200 has a containment volume "V2" having a capacity between 50 cl and 100 cl.

The present invention achieves the proposed objects, overcoming the highlighted drawbacks of the prior art.