DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the technical field of cap-container assemblies, and particularly it relates to a cap-container assembly for selective dispensing of the content and a kit comprising such assembly.

Definitions

In the present document, the expression 'product' is used to indicate any liquid or solid of the food, cosmetic, health, mechanical industry and or similar industries, suitable to be contained in a container.

In the present document, the expression 'container' is used to indicate any hollow object suitable to contain solid or liquid products, such as in particular a bottle, a phial or the like.

In the present document, the expression "rigid" and derivatives relating to an object, is used to indicate the ability thereof to resist the action of external forces tending to deform it.

In the present document, the expression "flexural rigidity" and derivatives relating to a material is used to indicate the ability of the material to be flexible if stressed by external forces, returning to the original configuration once the action of such forces ceases.

In the present document, the expression "made monolithically" or derivatives relating to at least two bodies is used to indicate the fact that such bodies, as a result of such type of configuration, are made of a single piece given that the joining thereof is suitable to support the transfer of tensile or shear stresses through the contact surface.

State of the Art

Containers of the food industry containing spices, food preparations, flavour enhancement agents and beverages, phials of the cosmetic and medical industry containing solutions of various types, as well as containers for oils and the like of the mechanical industry, coupled to a cap which comprises one or more sections for dispensing the content, are known.

Typically, the cap has one or more sections having different shapes, such as for example holes with different diameter or different opening area, so as to be able to vary the product dispensing amounts.

However, such known containers have a single container compartment for the product, forcing the user to use several containers for different products, with ensuing inconvenience, possible transportation of amounts exceeding the necessary, as well as high ecological impact when disposing of the containers.

Furthermore, there is observed a rapid deterioration of the characteristics of the product contained, in particular if of medical, cosmetic or food origin, subject to repeated communication with the external environment.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to at least partly overcome the drawbacks outlined above, by providing a cap-container assembly that is particularly convenient.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap-container assembly which allows to reduce the ecological impact due to the same.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cap-container assembly that is relatively cost-effective.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap-container assembly that is easy to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cap-container assembly capable of allowing to modulate the dispensing of the product contained therein.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cap-container assembly capable of extending the duration of the product contained therein.

These and other objects that will be more apparent hereinafter, are attained by a cap-container assembly as described, illustrated and/or claimed herein.

In a first aspect, the cap-container assembly may be useful for storing at least one product, and it may comprise:

- a container comprising: a support structure having at least one lateral surface and at least one bottom wall defining at least one container compartment, said support structure having at least one outlet for placing said at least one container compartment and the external environment in communication, said at least one lateral surface extending between said at least one bottom wall and said at least one outlet; partitioning means inserted or which can be inserted into said at least one container compartment so as to partition it into at least two mutually non communicating sections, each containing said at least one product;

- a cap mutually coupled or which can be coupled with said support structure at said at least one outlet, comprising: a ring nut susceptible to rotate around a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said at least one lateral surface; at least one covering surface having at least one open portion, the covering surface being mutually coupled with said ring nut so that upon the rotation of the latter it defines a selective communication line between one of said at least two sections, said at least one open portion and the external environment, to allow the selective dispensing of said at least one product.

In a further aspect, irrespective of the above, the cap-container assembly may be useful for storing at least one product, and it may comprise:

- a container comprising: a support structure having at least one lateral surface and at least one bottom wall defining at least one container compartment, said support structure having at least one outlet for placing said at least one container compartment and the external environment in communication, said at least one lateral surface extending between said at least one bottom wall and said at least one outlet; partitioning means inserted or which can be inserted into said at least one container compartment so as to partition it into at least two mutually non communicating sections, each containing said at least one product;

- a cap mutually or which can be mutually coupled with said support structure at said at least one outlet, comprising at least one covering surface having at least one openable portion positioned at each of said at least two sections, so that upon the opening thereof at least one openable portion defines one selective communication line between at least one of said at least two sections, the respective said at least one openable portion and the external environment, so as to allow the selective dispensing of said at least one product.

In a further aspect, a kit may be provided for storing at least one product, comprising:

- an assembly according to the above; - partitioning means which can be removably inserted into said at least one container compartment so as to partition it into said at least two mutually non-communicating sections.

The dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in light of the detailed description of some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a container 10 with partitioning means 20;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cap-container assembly 1, with the cap in the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a kit 2 including assembly 1 with the cap in the first embodiment, and partitioning means 20;

FIG. 4A illustrates a first embodiment of the cap 30, regarding which FIG. 4B shows a detail;

FIG. 5A illustrates a second embodiment of the cap 30, regarding which FIGS. 5B - 5C show a detail;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of some details of the cap 30;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cap-container assembly 1, with the cap 30 in the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a kit 2 including assembly 1 with the cap in the second embodiment, and partitioning means 20.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

With reference to the aforementioned figures, herein described is a cap-container assembly 1 for storing one or more products PI, P2, P3, ...

Such assembly 1 may comprise a cap 30, as will be described in detail hereinafter, which can be coupled or is coupled to a container 10.

The present invention can include various parts and/or similar or identical elements. Unless otherwise specified, similar or identical parts and/or elements will be indicated using a single reference number, it being clear that the described technical features are common to all similar or identical parts and/or elements.

The container 10 may be of any type, such as for example a canister, a bottle, a phial and the like.

Preferably, the container 10 may include a parallelepiped-shaped or cylindrical shaped support structure 11 with a lateral surface 12 and a bottom wall 13.

The latter may for example be useful for supporting the container 10 on a support surface.

Although hereinafter in the description reference will be made to a single lateral surface 12 and a single bottom wall 13, it is clear that a plurality of lateral surfaces 12 and a plurality of bottom walls 13, for example made of several mutually coupled layers, may be provided for without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

The lateral surface 12 and the bottom wall 13 may define a container compartment 110 in which there can be inserted the product PI or the products PI, P2, P3, ...

The support structure 11 may comprise an outlet 14 having an edge 140.

Although hereinafter in the description reference will be made to a single outlet 14, it is however clear that several outlets 14 may be provided for without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Furthermore, it is clear that the outlet 14 may substantially be an area for opening the support structure 11 so that the lateral surface 12 extends between the bottom wall 13 and the outlet 14.

In particular, the outlet 14 may be provided in a position opposite to the bottom wall

13.

Preferably, the outlet 14 may allow the product PI or the products PI, P2, P3, ... to be dispensed from the container 10.

Furthermore, the container 10 may include one or more partitioning walls 20 extending between the bottom wall 13 and the outlet 14.

In this manner, it will be possible to partition the container compartment 110 into two or more sections 111, 112, 113, ... not placed in communication with each other.

Preferably, the container 10 may comprise partitioning means 20.

Such partitioning means 20 may extend internally into the compartment 110 between the walls of the lateral surface 12, along the entire length thereof, that is between the bottom wall 13 and the outlet 14.

More particularly, the partitioning means 20 may come into mutual contact with the walls of the lateral surface 12. The partitioning means 20 may for example be partitioning walls 21, 22, 23, ... .

It is clear that even if hereinafter in the description, with particular reference to FIGS. 1 - 2 - 3, there will be described partitioning means 20 defined by three partitioning walls 21, 22, 23 for partitioning the container compartment 110 into three separate sections 111, 112, 113, different partitioning means 20 and a different number of walls and sections may be provided for without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Furthermore, it is clear that in such sections 111, 112, 113 the same product PI or different products PI, P2, P3 may be inserted depending on the needs.

For example, it may be useful to divide the same product PI into several doses, or it may be useful to simultaneously store different products PI, P2, P3 in small doses.

This may allow to preserve the same products for a long time, consuming the desired amounts when necessary.

Preferably, the partitioning walls 21, 22, 23 may be made monolithically with respect to each other and with the lateral surface 12.

Even more preferably, the partitioning walls 21, 22, 23 may be made monolithically also with the bottom wall 13.

Furthermore, the partitioning walls 21, 22, 23 may be made monolithically also with the outlet 14.

For example, should the partitioning walls 21, 22, 23, the lateral surface 12 and the bottom wall 13 be made of the same or different material, they may be over-moulded or co moulded.

In this manner, the sections 111, 112, 113 may be sealed, that is they may contain in particular liquids or fine-grain solids, such as for example spices, even different without the risk of mixing.

It is therefore clear that this may be particularly advantageous in the case of liquid products PI, P2, P3, ...

Preferably, the sections 111, 112, 113 and the support structure 11 may be made of rigid material.

According to a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the material may be the same, such as for example a polymeric material, a food or medical grade material if the container 10 is intended for such uses.

According to a different embodiment, the partitioning walls 21, 22, 23 may be insertable and/or removable into/from the container compartment 110.

In this case, the sections 111, 112, 113 will be separated, but not sealed. This may be particularly advantageous in the case of solid products PI, P2, P3, ...

Preferably, the walls 21, 22, 23 may be made monolithically with respect to each other.

On the other hand, the walls 21, 22, 23 may also be made of distinct pieces, which can be assembled together for example by means of connection elements of the male/female type known in the prior art.

In particular, the partitioning means 20, in this case the walls 21, 22, 23 may pass between a closed position to allow the insertion thereof into the container compartment 110, through the outlet 14, and an open position in which the walls 21, 22, 23 come into contact with the lateral surface 12, the bottom wall 13 and the outlet 14 to define the aforementioned sections 111, 112, 113.

It is however clear that in the open position the walls 21, 22, 23 may come into contact with the lateral surface 12 and with the outlet 14 only without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Furthermore, it is clear that in the open position the walls 21, 22, 23 may come into contact with the lateral surface 12 and with the bottom wall 13 only without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Furthermore, in the open position the walls 21, 22, 23 may come into contact with the outlet 14 and with the bottom wall 13 only without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

As a result, in order to facilitate the insertion/removal of the partitioning walls 21, 22, 23, they can be made with a material having an intrinsic flexural rigidity.

In this manner, it will be flexible at the time of insertion/removal through the outlet 14 and then be substantially rigid when inserted, thus allowing the it to pass through respectively between the closed and open positions of the partitioning walls 21, 22, 23.

For example, cardboard, elastomeric polymers and the like may be considered.

Preferably, the cap 30 may be coupled, in a per se known manner, with the outlet 14 at the edge 140 so as to form a unitary assembly.

Likewise, the cap 30 may be removable and couplable to the outlet 14 at the edge

140. Suitably, the cap 30 may comprise a covering surface 31 opposite the bottom wall 13, such as for example a cap, with an open or openable portion 32, as particularly illustrated in

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B.

This will allow to place in communication one or more sections 111, 112, 113 and the external environment simultaneously to allow the dispensing of the product contained therein.

Furthermore, the cap 30 may comprise a planar surface 33 opposite to the covering surface 31 and facing the bottom wall 13.

Preferably, the planar surface 33 may comprise two or more holes 331, 332, 333 at the sections 111, 112, 113.

Furthermore, the holes 331, 332, 333 may be placed in communication or be suitable to be placed in communication with the respectively openable or open portion 32 as will be explained hereinafter.

In addition, the cap 30 may comprise an adjustment tab 34 which may be displaced along a plane p perpendicular to the axis X as well as substantially parallel to the planar surface 33.

The adjustment tab 34 may be positioned, in a per se known manner, at each hole

331, 332, 333 to adjust the opening section thereof, that is the area of the hole through which the product PI, P2, P3, as well as the quantity of the dispensed product, flows out.

According to a first embodiment, particularly illustrated in FIGS. 4A - 4B, a ring nut 40 connected with the covering surface 31 and which can be rotated by a user around an axis X extending along the container 10, parallel to the lateral surface 12, may be provided for.

Upon the rotation of the ring nut 40, a selective communication line may be defined between one of the sections 111, 112, 113, the open portion 32 and the external environment, allowing the dispensing of the product PI, P2, P3 contained in the relative section.

More in particular, upon the rotation of the ring nut 40, a selective communication line may be defined between one of the sections 111, 112, 113, the corresponding hole 331,

332, 333, the open portion 32 and the external environment.

According to a second embodiment, particularly illustrated in FIGS. 5A - 5C, the covering surface 31 may comprise at least one openable portion 32 positioned at each of the sections 111, 112, 113, so that, when open, a selective communication line is defined between the respective section 111, 112, 113, the openable portion 32 and the external environment, to allow the selective dispensing of the product PI, P2, P3.

More in particular, cap means 50, for example caps 51, 52, 53 defining the aforementioned openable portion 32 and positioned at the holes 331, 332, 333 may be provided for.

The selective opening of the caps 51, 52, 53 may therefore place in selective communication each section 111, 112, 113, the corresponding hole 331, 332, 333 and the external environment, defining the aforementioned selective communication line between the respective section 111, 112, 113, the hole 331, 332, 333, the openable portion 32 and the external environment.

It is clear that this will allow simultaneous dispensing of different products PI, P2, P3, useful for example when preparing cocktails, dishes and the like, without contaminating the different sections 111, 112, 113 with the mutual content.

Lastly, a kit 2 may comprising the assembly 1 having a container 10 and a cap 30 according to the first or the second embodiment, and the partitioning means 20 which can be inserted/removed into/from the compartment 110 of the container 10, as described above, may be provided for.

This allows to always have within reach a container, which offers - after the insertion of the partitioning means 20 - the possibility of transporting several products PI, P2, P3, ... without the encumbrance given by a different container for each product.

As a result, this will allow to obtain a particularly comfortable cap-container assembly, with low ecological impact and capable of extending the duration of the product or products contained therein, minimising and modulating the amount used or transported.

In light of the above, it is clear that the invention attains the pre-set objectives.

The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants. All details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different depending on the technical needs, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the attached claims.