Field
The present invention relates to closures with storage chambers.
Description of Related Art
Closures with storage chamber or reservoir are mainly used in the field of extemporaneous preparations.
Extemporaneous preparations are prepared by mixing a given amount of liquid stored in a container, typically sterile water, with a given amount of product (in liquid, powder, or other form), which is typically stored in a reservoir contained in the cap that closes the container.
This ensures stability of the products for a long time, as they are separately packaged and will be only mixed when the preparation is used.
Recently, closures with a storage chamber have also been found to be useful for beverages. In the field of alcoholic beverages, the product stored in the storage chamber may be a liquid or powder die which imparts a color to the beverage that makes it look more appealing to a consumer. In the field of non-alcoholic beverages and supplements, the product stored in the storage chamber may be a granular preparation.
A first type of closure uses a punch member which pierces the bottom of the storage chamber, upon first opening, to release the product stored therein into the container.
A second type of closure uses a closing member which disengages from a dispensing opening of the storage chamber, upon first opening, to release the product stored therein into the container. Closures of this type are disclosed, for instance in EP 2 292 525, DE 29916436, U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,939, and EP 1919791. These closures are composed of a stationary part, attached to the container, and a removable part. The removable part is equipped with a storage chamber with a dispensing opening closed by a closing member supported by the stationary part. Upon first opening, the dispensing opening disengages from the closing member and allows the product in the storage chamber to fall into the container by gravity.
This second type of closures is widely used, as it features a simple mechanism for opening and dispensing the product into the container, which has no frangible part and hence ensures a reliable operation. Nevertheless, these closures have a drawback. Due to the relaxation of the material that forms the two parts or the clearances caused by design or mass-production tolerances, particularly in the sealing area between the closing member and the dispensing opening, a small amount of the product stored in the storage chamber may be released therefrom into the container. This problem is particularly felt in the field of extemporaneous preparations, in which even a small amount of product may contaminate the sterile liquid and prevent use of the preparation once the container is opened. In the field of beverages, while contact of the product to be mixed with the liquid in the container, before first opening, does not affect the integrity of the liquid, it is still unpleasant to the consumer, e.g. in case of liquid dies, when the consumer buys a container with a partially colored liquid, and will not have the pleasure of looking at the effect of the dye upon first opening.