The present invention relates to a multi-flow cap for recipients for liquids.

Double flow caps are well known in the industry due to the advantages thereof with respect to traditional single flow caps. The main advantage of multi-flow caps is that they make it possible, according to the user's requirements, to empty the recipient with a flow with a high flow rate or with a flow with a reduced flow rate according to whether speed of emptying or accuracy is required. This advantage means that this type of cap is especially used in the food industry, and more particularly in the edible oil industry, as a flow with a low oil flow rate is especially suitable for dressing food, while a flow with a greater flow rate is advantageous when putting oil into frying pans etc. for cooking.

One of the main challenges when pouring a liquid contained in a recipient is for it to be obtained in a regulated manner, without appreciable fluctuations in the flow rate. This problem is greater or lesser depending on the physical properties of the liquid contained in the recipient. This is a significant problem in the case of edible oils. In the state of the art, various types of caps are known which attempt to reduce this type of problem and achieve an outlet flow that is continuous and constant, without spurting, gushing etc.

The present invention discloses a multi-flow cap which also reduces or minimizes spurting of the fluid contained in the recipient.

Document FR 2900909 A1 discloses a multi-flow cap for pouring liquids with a flow rate that can be regulated. Said cap comprises an upper part and a lower part, in which the upper part comprises a tearable membrane which leaves free an upper orifice and the lower part comprises two orifices which allow liquid to pass through. The upper part comprises guides which allow the lower part to rotate with respect to the upper part such that depending on the arrangement of the parts, the orifices are overlapped to a greater or lesser extent and leave a larger or smaller passage area free, thus allowing a flow to pass with a greater or lesser flow rate depending on the requirements. The cap disclosed in the document FR 2900909 A1 has various disadvantages, among which its lack of elements which would minimize the variability of the outlet flow rate. In addition, the fact that the parts are moveable makes their use more difficult and increases the risk of breaking. Another disadvantage of said cap is that the shape of the upper orifice makes it complex to manufacture a tearable membrane for said orifice.

The present invention solves the above mentioned problems, disclosing a double flow cap which comprises a main body with means for connecting to the neck of a recipient and two flow outlet openings of unequal size, such that they define a large opening and a small opening; in which said two openings are comprised in an insert connected to the main body and in which the insert additionally comprises a plurality of baffles distributed along an inner perimeter and arranged such that each opening is partially coincident with at least one baffle in the outlet direction of the flow.

In addition, the present invention also makes it difficult to top up the bottle. This is a characteristic that is valued in the packaging of high-value products and even a legal requirement for certain uses (marketing of oil in the hotel industry or the catering industry, for example).

The large opening makes it possible to empty the recipient with a flow with a high flow rate and the small opening makes it possible to empty the recipient with a flow with a lower flow rate and with greater accuracy.

Between the baffles and the two openings comprised in the insert there is a separation such that it allows the passage of fluid despite each opening being partially coincident with at least one baffle.

In the present invention, the relationship between the position of the baffles and the position of the openings is fixed, which avoids having to manipulate the cap and, consequently, reduces the risk of breakage thereof. As it does not require manipulation on the part of the user, the present invention reduces the risk of the user becoming splashed with the fluid contained in the recipient.

Preferentially, the insert is connected to the main body by means of dimensional interference between mating flanges.

In an embodiment, there is a separation between baffles, i.e. the baffles are not contiguous. In a preferred embodiment, the baffles and their respective separations are uniformly distributed.

In an embodiment, the openings are diametrically opposed. In a preferred embodiment, the openings define an axis of symmetry, the openings being symmetrical with respect to said axis of symmetry. In an even more preferred embodiment, the baffles and their respective separations therebetween are symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry defined by the openings.

Advantageously, each of the baffles has the shape of a petal. Even more advantageously, each of the baffles has the shape of a rounded trapezium.

In a preferred manner, each of the baffles is inclined in the direction opposite to the outlet flow.

In an embodiment, the length of each of the baffles is such that its horizontal projection is smaller than the horizontal projection of the width of each of the openings.

Preferentially, the large opening has the shape of a rounded trapezium.

In an embodiment, the small opening has the shape of a rounded trapezium. In another embodiment, the small opening has a triangular shape.

Preferentially, the main body additionally comprises a tearable membrane which covers the insert and which acts as a seal.

In an embodiment, the double flow cap comprises a top-piece configured in order to close said cap. In an advantageous embodiment, the top-piece closes by means of a helicoidal thread. In an alternative embodiment, the top-piece connects to the main body by means of an articulation with a flap hinge.

The concept of a bi-flow cap and of a double flow cap are used in an equivalent and interchangeable manner throughout the present document. The term multi-flow cap is also used, which also includes bi-flow caps, caps with a greater number of flows with a different flow rate. In this document, by width of the opening is meant the difference between the external radius and the internal radius in the case of openings in the shape of a rounded trapezium, and the height of the triangle in the case of triangular openings. In this document, by length of the opening is meant the arc of the circumference that said opening defines. In this document, by baffles with the shape of a rounded trapezium is meant specifically baffles with the shape of a petal. In this document, the directions horizontal, vertical, up, down etc. are understood according to the normal standing position of the recipient, i.e. with the axis of the recipient being perpendicular to the ground.

For greater clarity, representative drawings of an embodiment of the double flow cap that is the subject of the present invention are attached by way of non-limitative illustrative examples.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a transverse section view of an embodiment of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective top view of an embodiment of a main body of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a transverse cross-section view of an embodiment of a main body of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective bottom view of an embodiment of a main body of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an insert of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of an insert of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a bottom plan view of an embodiment of an insert of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a transverse cross-section view of an embodiment of an insert of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section view of a top-piece of a bi-flow cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows in a perspective view an embodiment of a bi-flow cap -1- according to the present invention. Said figure shows the cap -1- with its respective main body -20- closed by means of a threaded top-piece -10-. In other embodiments, the top-piece can be connected to the main body by means of an articulated flap hinge which allows said top-piece to be opened.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the main components of an embodiment of a bi-flow cap -1- according to the present invention. This figure shows the threaded top-piece -10-, the main body -20- and the insert -30-.

In the cross-section view in FIG. 3 it can be seen how the different components of the bi-flow cap -1- interact with one another when the cap is closed. In the embodiment shown, when the threaded top-piece -10- is closed, the ring -21- connected to the tearable membrane -27- is housed within the inner skirt -12- of the threaded top-piece -10-. The insert -30- is connected with the main body -20- by means of dimensional interference between mating flanges. The tearable membrane -27- acts as a seal and makes it possible to ensure that the contents of the recipient have not been manipulated. The inner skirt -12- of the threaded top-piece closes by means of dimensional interference with the nozzle -22- of the main body -20-, this ensures closure of the cap -1- once the seal formed by the tearable membrane -27- has been broken.

FIGS. 4 to 6 make it possible to see in detail the different parts of an embodiment of a main body of a bi-flow cap -1- according to the present invention. As can be seen, the ring -21- is connected to the tearable membrane -27- and said ring -21- is housed inside the nozzle -22-. Said nozzle -22- is essentially cylindrical in shape. In order to facilitate the tearing of the tearable membrane -27-, the main body has a circumferential pre-cut -24- which reduces the force necessary to tear the membrane -27- and which ensures the correct opening thereof. In order to tear the membrane -27- the user pulls the ring -21- firmly fastened to said membrane -27-.

These figures also make it possible to see the thread -25- onto which the threaded top-piece -10- is screwed (not shown in figures).

As can been seen, the embodiment shown in the figures has an inner skirt -29- that is cylindrical in shape which has on its inner face a plurality of projections -23-. Said plurality of projections -23- is distributed in a uniform manner along the perimeter of the inner face of the inner skirt -29-. Said plurality of projections -23- interlocks with the groove -33- of the insert -30- (see FIGS. 3 and 10). In other embodiments, said plurality of projections -23- can be substituted with a single circumferential projection which also interlocks with the groove -33- of the insert -30-. The inner skirt -29-additionally comprises a circumferential projection -28- on its outer face responsible for interlocking with the neck of the recipient and delimiting the axial movement of the insert -30- given that said circumferential projection -28- interlocks with the projection -35- of said insert (see FIGS. 3 and 10). The plurality of projections -23-, together with the circumferential projection -28- and the dimensional interference between the inner skirt -29- of the main body -20- and the outer skirt -36- of the insert -30- make it possible to fasten said insert -30-. In the embodiment shown, the plurality of projections -23- is formed by 6 projections, but other embodiments with a different number of projections are also possible.

In addition to the inner skirt -29-, the main body -20- of a double flow cap -1- according to the present invention also comprises an outer skirt -210- which comprises a projection -26- which interlocks with the neck of the recipient (not shown). The circumferential projection -28-, in addition to assisting with the fastening of the insert -30-, also contributes to the fastening of the main body -20- to the neck of the recipient. Both means of connecting the main body -20- to the neck of the recipient are strengthened by the dimensional interference between the neck of the recipient and the separation between the outer skirt -210- and the inner skirt -29- of the main body -20-.

FIGS. 7 to 10 make it possible to see in detail the different parts of an embodiment of an insert -30- of a double flow cap -1- according to the present invention. The insert -30- comprises two openings -31-, -32- that are diametrically opposed in its upper part. Said openings -31-, -32- are those responsible for allowing the passage of the fluid from the recipient to the outside. As can be seen in the figures, the openings have unequal areas, defining a small opening -31- and a large opening -32-. When the user wishes to empty liquid from the recipient at a low flow rate, for example in order to dress a salad in the case where the recipient contains oil, he empties the recipient through the small opening -31- and the large opening -32- allows air to pass into the inside of the recipient so that the pressures are balanced. When the user wishes to empty liquid from the recipient at a greater flow rate, for example in order to put oil into a frying pan in the case where the recipient contains oil, he empties the contents through the large opening -32- and then the small opening -31- is that which acts to allow air to pass into the inside of the recipient so that the pressures are balanced. In the embodiment shown, both openings have the shape of a circular trapezium, but other embodiments in which the small opening has another shape, for example triangular, are also possible. The small opening -31- and the large opening -32- are totally independent, i.e. they are not connected.

In order to achieve the technical effect sought, having a double outlet flow at the same time as avoiding the spurting of the fluid, both openings act together with a plurality of baffles -34- located in the inner part of the outer skirt -36- and below the two openings -31-, -32-. As can be seen in the figures, in the embodiment shown, the plurality of baffles -34- is distributed in a uniform manner along the inner perimeter of the outer skirt -36-. In the embodiment shown, each of the baffles which forms the plurality -34- has the shape of a rounded trapezium. As can be seen, between each of the baffles there is a small separation, i.e. the baffles are not in contact with each other. Each of the members of the plurality of baffles -34- is inclined downwards. In the embodiment shown, the plurality of baffles -34- is formed by 10 baffles, but other embodiments with a different number are also possible.

As can be very clearly seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the length of each of the baffles is such that its horizontal projection is smaller than the horizontal projection of the width of each of the openings. This configuration causes the baffles to leave a central separation free. Both the two openings -31-, -32- and the plurality of baffles -34- define their own axis of symmetry, and both coincide, such that the centre of each of the openings -31-, -32- coincides with the centre of the separation between the baffles. This non-random arrangement is the one which maximizes the technical effect. Additionally, this arrangement makes it possible to minimize the surface area of the openings, since other arrangements would act partially as a labyrinth seal, making the passage of the fluid more difficult. In the embodiment shown, the length of the large opening -32- is such that the horizontal projection of the two baffles is centred on the horizontal projection of said opening, in other words, the horizontal projection of the large opening -32- comprises the horizontal projection of two baffles and three separations.

Although other alternatives are possible, and as can be clearly seen in FIG. 10, in the embodiment the upper surface of the insert -20- has the shape of a V, i.e. it is not horizontal.

FIG. 11 makes it possible to see in detail a threaded top-piece -10- of a bi-flow cap -1- according to the present invention. As can be seen, said threaded top-piece -10- comprises an outer skirt -13- on the inner surface of which is the helicoidal thread -11- which allows the top-piece -10- to screw onto the main body -20-. As mentioned previously, the threaded top-piece -10- additionally comprises an inner skirt -12- responsible for, among other things, closing the cap by means of dimensional interference with the nozzle -22- of the main body -20- (see FIG. 3).

While the invention has been described and shown based on a representative example, it must be understood that said embodiment is in no way limitative of the present invention, and therefore any of the variations which are included directly or by equivalence in the content of the attached claims will be considered to be included within the scope of the present invention.